Our mortal journey here on earth, in reality is quite brief. Time passes rather rapidly and is truly not a respecter of person, place or thing. It also seems that the only thing one will be able to take away from this life is that which they learn and the memories they make from the experiences they endure.

My grandfather has lived a good life. He is a talented trumpet player, a faithful husband and kind man devoted to keeping all his family happy. He has reached though the twilight of his life. Time is moving on as his journey in this mortal realm comes slowly to an end. Soon, I know he will rejoin loved ones that have gone on before, embarking on a new journey, that none of us here on earth can truly understand until, we too are called willingly or not, to move on.

So what does that leave for me? What do I choose to remember? How have I chosen to craft that relationship with the man that help start the family that I claim to be a part of? It is a moment of reflection for me and deep thought. One that has been filled with ups and with downs, yet still as I wander the memories I have, I find a sense of wonder and enjoyment. A warm smile and deep tenor voice, that always radiated a sense of affection and love.

"Who's that knocking on my door?" Always poured through the hallways of their home as my siblings and I knocked on their door, for sunday afternoon dinners. His love for music, his love of his faith and his desire that all his family be happy, give me a deep appreciation for what I have been blessed with.

To know him, is to love him. I watched his eyes light up as he talked to my own children. His tale to my son on how he got his first trumpet and the joy in his face as my son played a simple tune for him. He tapped along full of life, even though he seemed very tired at the moment. He was happy.

He never complained to me about his ills, even as time pushes forward, and he moves at a slower pace, he still when we talk asks me how i am doing.

So as his time draws to a close, I do not mourn and I rejoice for him. His life is good, he accomplished things that I am proud of. He believed in us... and lives what he preaches, hoping his children and their children will do the same. I am glad that I was able to take my family to spend a little time with him, to let them hear, those incredible words,"who's that knocking on my door."

I am grateful for the power of music, and I find myself constantly singing to my own children around me.

So as time pushes forward at it's rapid pace, I hope that I use my earthly time wisely. I pray that I take the time to learn and teach my children to practice what they preach. To help others and fill their lives with a song, and an open mind towards one another, and the opportunity to love. I hope that one day they will look at me as well with fond memories, and think of me with a smile.

I do not know when the patriarch of my family, will start his new journey, yet before he goes, he will know that I love him and I appreciate him and all that he does, no matter how small it might seem to him.

Do not waste the time given to you. Mend the fences that need to be mended and create the legacy that your children and your grand children will remember proudly of you. You do not have all the time in the world and one day it will be gone.....

live life wisely
trav