Cattāri Brahmavihārā

This was never uploaded yesterday…

My son awoke is this morning not with his words but with the intensity of his shivering. By four a.m. it was clear that he had a fever and a pretty terrible headache. Doctor called, medicine dispensed and, for a brief and uneasy time, the emergency was contained.

Kids sick with colds and flu  are so commonplace that the almost don’t merit discussion but as any parent can testify, the feeling of existential disquiet and suffering when one of your children is ill is almost unbearable. This fact along with the shock at the sudden and unexpectedness of his fever have served as great reminders that life gives us no warnings. Sickness can come at any time to wipe out our abilities, our joys and even our very lives. So may I take heed to the teaching of this divine messenger and not squander my time while I have this precious life and may I remember too to cherish my loved ones for, at any time, they could be swept away by the food of sickness, aging and death.