WHAT'S MIKE UP TO

Dear Friends –

As our nation solemnly remembers the devastating acts that traumatized our country just ten years ago, I have taken this day to reflect on life and the preciousness of time. Making every day count is important. What you think you have today may very well be gone tomorrow.

Listening to the names of the over 3,000 loved ones being called out today at the New York Ground Zero memorial left me to wonder how many people took their life — and the lives of those they loved — for granted. How many of them — either those that perished or those that survived — had wished they had said “I love you,” or say they were sorry for being inconsiderate of past pains or upset? How many said, “I’ll wait until tomorrow?” or “I’ll put it off another day.” I know that I have lived for many, many years not seizing the moment, not making the move I knew was the right course of action for me. Maybe I’ve thought that time would make those decisions for me, or maybe someone else. I have missed tremendous opportunities for my delay in not taking action or seizing the moment when I had the chance. I can only hope those same opportunities return another day so that my new found awareness to making a decision can be exercised swiftly and with a focus on not ever letting them slip away again. Second chances are hard to come by.

If the tragedy that forever, indelibly marks this day in history can bring forth meaning, it’s that the “present” is a gift. As shooting victim and national social worker Michael Segal writes, “The present is a gift — that is why it is called “present” — it’s a gift to you — remember that and live life accordingly.”

None of us know what the future holds and we cannot control it. But we can control doing what needs to be done today — so that today’s opportunities don’t pass us by.

I will be visiting the Forest Park flag memorial today with my two children. I don’t want to miss the chance to see over 3,000 3-foot flags pay tribute to our nation on Art Hill. Whatever journey you take — whatever opportunity comes before you today or tomorrow — take hold and be strong. Second changes are hard to come by.