Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Michelle — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:15:19 -0000

If I only had 37 days to live, I would stop working and live. I would go on a driving trip across Canada, stopping in small towns and just sitting in the parks observing life, and bring both my children with me if they would come so we could take the time to really talk and get to know each other and how we really feel about things. I would visit my mother and talk about life and us and not just talk about the weather and argue over politics! Of course I would take my dogs for long walks and enjoy them for what they are.
I would not just tell my family I loved them, I would show them by doing something for them.
Would I write a book of sayings that my mother/father said; family stories I've heard? I would if I had time and I would journal my feelings so my family would get to know me better. After writing this, I wonder why I haven't done it before!

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Ana l Beautiful Escorts — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:52:17 -0000

If I have only 37 days to live, I promise to live my life to the fullest. Thanks for sharing this thought, it make me realize again that life is too short.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

NoraChristine — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:54:32 -0000

Each day I would contact an old friend that I don't see as much as I'd like - two of my college roommates who live 4 hours away come to mind first. I'd visit them and talk about old times and let them know what impact they had on my life. If my health were good, I would volunteer at a home for teenage moms. I know it sounds corny, but lately I've been feeling that I need to give more. I also feel out of touch with my old life.

I should probably say something like spend more time with my kids, really listen to them, etc, etc, but I really already feel like I do that - so that wouldn't change in my last 37 days. Maybe I'd be nicer to my husband, though! :)

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Kimberly — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:49:57 -0000

I brought my husband home on October 16 and into the care of hospice. My sweetheart passed on into eternal life the 5th of November. Those days together were filled with caring, sweetness, joy, laughter, and tears. I wondered if Adam found my attempt to remain positive and smiling a detraction from what he was facing, that question was answered when he laid his hand on my face and said, "I know." Adam was aphasic from strokes he survived in 2000 and speech was very difficult for him. Our years since 2000 were not those many would claim as "quality" of life - but Adam taught me patience, love without words, the art of truly listening, and the necessity of celebrating the here and now. I would hope that I could display the courage and love Adam displayed if I had only 37 days left to celebrate life.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

(i) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:17:57 -0000

If I had to go in 37 days time, I think there is no unfinished business to settle. Maybe I will ask some questions I always meant to ask.

I would quit my job, which is a long-term project that cannot be finished in that short a time (it is not something anyone is waiting for to finish). I might write a document for someone to take over if they want.

Then, I would pick or make a personal gift for each of my friends and family and write them a note. Just kind words of encouragement and to tell them what they mean(t) to me. Actually, I do the gift picking thing on a regular basis, but do not include the notes. I'll start doing that.

Most likely, I'll first spend time in solitude for the gifts-and-notes, then go out en give them, saying goodbye and see you to all.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Andrea of Become a Consultant — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:17:29 -0000

I'd spend time with friends and family. I'd hug my kids and my husband. I'd want my family and best friend with me at the end. I try to spend as much time now with my friends and family as I can. I've designed my work to fit with my lifestyle and my desire to be with those who matter most to me.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Elaina — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:15:26 -0000

I would quit my job, take my partner home to Tennessee, and paint in my Uncle Ronnie's cabin in his yard, looking at the Smoky mountains, every day.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Betty Ann — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:47:01 -0000

definitely not going to work. In faci I think I would just quit work and spend the rest of my time with my family!

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Lainey — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:34:57 -0000

Quit my job...Spend time with my mother, father and siblings, throw a kick ass party for me and my friends and then head off by myself for a while. The idea of making brand new connections with people, cultures and places I never knew before then somehow appeals to me.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

writer11 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:05:32 -0000

Man, I'm lost for words... and pray I find them profoundly before the first day has passed

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

caren — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:57:37 -0000

Swingsets and trampolines!

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

caren — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:56:13 -0000

5th

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

caren — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:41:14 -0000

I am so moved I'm weeping. Take the love, be the love, hold her, feel yourself.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Karen — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:58:43 -0000

I would ensure my two Jack Russels had a good home to go to. And I would ask my family and friends what they would like to do with me. Once I am gone, what I do for me means nothing. What I have done for others to help them remember me or forget me, which ever they need to move on with their lives peacefully.

My last days are not for me - they are for the ones I love.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Judy — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:38:58 -0000

What would I do? Throw a huge party for everyone I love, a few days before D Day, then go home and die quietly in my own bed. No excessive attempts to keep me alive, thanks, when it is time, I would like to go without fuss or stress.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

storyteller — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:29:04 -0000

I think striving for fabulous, wanting to make our mark on the white page with something of value is natural and excellent - it is our spiritual quest for the Divine - that glimpse of the Light/God/Soul/Worth in us. I hear you. We should strive to do something important before we die. It's as I say to my writing students who can't get "started" because they want to write a masterpiece but can't even put one word on the page because it isn't "good enough". I remind them that you get to write drafts. Start. Just start. You are allowed to write again tomorrow and add stuff. You're allowed to rewrite. You're allowed to change things around. Masterpieces are built in pieces. So, I agree with what Caren says about putting on the real as a way to start and lead you into filling your blank paper with wondrous things...but I also wanted to validate your desire to do something crazy huge and beautiful.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

storyteller — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:17:55 -0000

this resonated for me, Mojo, thank you "wish I was bigger"...our neighbor went in for what she thought was a fairly straightforward operation, six operations later and six weeks she was dead from aggressive cancer they found. She was so stunned and angry, she didn't seem to have time to process past into the grief and acceptance part by any stretch. Yet others seem to have a different reaction, a peace that comes...I wonder how to do this...

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

storyteller — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:06:24 -0000

this exercise shook me this week, Patti - and it gave me courage. Thank you so much and everyone for your heartfeltness.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

colleenoverman — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:08:56 -0000

Thanks for the support. I love it. Filming it is an excellent idea.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Caren — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:30:10 -0000

Can you skip the fabulous and just put on the real? Can you stop judging the value, and let the value lie in whatever it is? Today, this moment, it means something - that's all we have, anyway! Right now. Let it mean something NOW, and tomorrow will take care of itself. Of *course* it will be dust in the wind tomorrow - that's why we dive in today!

It's only paper!

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Sunday — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:33:51 -0000

I would live and breathe my daughter and husband and I would walk around Herrick Lake everyday.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Helen — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:46:56 -0000

No I wouldn't change a thing. I am retired now, age 57. I would just spend time at home with my husband, cuddle my cat, weed and fertilise my garden, cook, create, just BE.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

leanne — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:47:44 -0000

When my Granny passed away, all I wanted was a very old flour sack tea towel that she used exclusively for covering her cinnamon buns when they were rising. It is stained and faded, and it is one of the things I cherish most...that, and the chipped brown betty teapot she always made tea for us in. They both would have been thrown out if I, by chance, had not been there to rescue and claim them. Your suggestion will be a precious gift to anyone who takes your advise. Thank you.

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Darcy — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:09:34 -0000

Wow...what a great question...I had just come across a site earlier (www.lifetwo.com) and read an article about happiness, and it asked to take 15 minutes to write down what makes you happy (from big things to the mundane)...I have been thinking about it all afternoon...and I have to say that I would try and do all the things that make me happiest.

I would also have to include telling all those closest to me how much they mean to me, how they have influenced my life, as well as how much I admire each and everyone of them and why. I would have to get creative and make memory quilts for my children, as well as create videos that they could watch telling them all that I have learned in life, and giving them as much motherly advice that I could. Other than that, I would enjoy every day as much as possible, eating good food, dancing, spending time with those I love...I could go on and on!

Thanks for the great question, and I hope I win the book! :)

Re: Patti Digh asks: What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?

Celise — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:06:38 -0000

I would want to be in a cottage near the beach, or right on the beach (like that WONDERFUL place in that movie "Nights in Rodanthe") and just read. Reading--adult series romance books in particular--are my addiction. I would spend my last days just reading, simple as that may sound. And the only people I would want with me are my parents, my sister and her hubby, my hubby, my two best friends, and my oldest niece and nephew.

When I do go, I hope it's peaceful, with a book in my hand.