Everybody Live, Like It's The Last Day You Will Ever Live

Former quarterback of Buffalo Bills, Jim Kelly, has been battling oral cancer. Since the beginning of April Kelly has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments that are supposed to help shrink the small tumors that are spreading in his head.

Being surrounded by his family on Mother's Day, Kelly only asked to share a dance with his wife. Although he  was very weak from the treatment he wanted to show the appreciation he had for his wife after all that they had been through in the course of their marriage. The two lost their son Hunter in 1997 who died of Krabbe disease at the age of 8. And now his wife is by his side as he struggles in his battle for cancer.

The tender moment they shared as they danced in the hospital room serves as a reminder that even the smallest things such as dancing with a loved one, can be truly meaningful.

We need to cherish even the smallest moments we share with another person because we never know if that will be the last moment we have with them. Having cancer, Kelly knows that every second he has with his family and friends is crucially important. I am not sure if he would have the same mentality if he did not have cancer, but what I can say is that many of us do not realize the importance of the present until we face death.

Many of us are scared to even think of death which is understandable, but we should at least think that everything is temporary. By thinking about everything as being temporary we will be able to embrace all that is around us and live in the moment without necessarily thinking of death constantly. Just consider the possibility of change. Say that you are going to your favorite store or amusement park. Just imagine that it will be closing down and that is the last time you will ever be able to enjoy it.

Change is inevitable. Those like Kelly who are forced to face it come to accept it, but what we all need to understand is that we are always staring down death. In a way those who know that there is a possibility that they may die soon are blessed, because at least they can tie loose ends in the given amount of time they have. Some are not so lucky though. They leave the world unexpectedly.

I personally have dealt with both scenarios. My grandma died of ovarian cancer. We knew she was going to die before she did so nothing was left unsaid. Every moment we shared with her as she neared the end was truly cherished and engraved into our hearts as warm sweet memories.

My cousin Anthony died two years ago. He was 23-years-old, killed in a car accident. Nobody saw it coming and I wish that I could have said goodbye to him. The last moment I shared with him was not the best. I cannot even remember it very well. Looking back at it I wish that I would have talked to him more and shared a good laugh. But I took his visit for granted figuring I would see him another time. But I never saw him again.

My point is we should follow Kelly's example and dance as if it is our last dance. Never leave angry and always say what you need to say because you may not have another chance to say it. I know it is hard to always live in the moment and that we have our bad days, but even in the darkest of times we can enjoy the smallest hint of light. And it never hurts to tell someone you love them when you part ways. Even if you are mad at them you can just say, "I may be mad at you right now, but that doesn't mean I don't love you." Because you never want to live with the regret of leaving on bad terms. Always leave on terms that you can live with.