Life in the Now

“Begin at once to live and count each separate day as a separate life.” ~Seneca

The world lost a good man last week.  Marc Nelson was a father, husband, brother, son, friend and an artist. He was someone who made an impact on the people he met and he left this world tragically and too soon.  And every day since he died I have thought of Marc, and the legacy of love and music he leaves behind.

 I will admit I am not a close friend of Marc.  We went to high school together and knew each other through classes and mutual friends.  I even had a crush on him back in the day.  Marc always struck me as one of those people who had it figured out.  He was nice to everyone, transcending the usual high school groups and was always welcome - with his guitar, his humor and his general nice guyness.  His tribute to our Vice Principal was one of my favorite high school memories, one that I forgot about until this week.

I hadn't seen Marc in years but because of the internet I was able to follow his career, listen to his music and read his words.   I enjoyed listening to his albums and wished him well.  From the postings and messages on Facebook it is evident that Marc continued to cast a wide net in his life, impacting many with his spirit and his music.  So many people are mourning the loss of someone special.

As I read through the tributes, listen to his music and try to make sense of the senseless I am struck by the valuable reminder Marc's death provides me.  We only have one life.  And it can end in the blink of an eye.  So live it.  Live each day.  Tell people you love them.  Do what you love to do.  Look up from your phone.  Play with your children.  Create the memories.

I love that Marc continued to pursue his music, be true to his passion.  It seems he played as often as he could.  Weekly gigs, iTunes EPs and festival appearances speak to someone who understood the importance of living a life that embraces his passions.  It is nice to know that the guy with the guitar in his hand in high school was still carrying it all these years later.

This video appeared in my Facebook feed last week.  Maybe because of the kind of week it was it really spoke to me.  Regardless, I like it's message.  Everyday we are given 84,600 seconds.  We can't carry that time over with us.  It is up to us to make the most of it.  So What are you going to do with your 84,600?

Here's hoping we all remember to live our lives as boldly as we can.  And to Marc's family and friends - I am sorry for your loss.  Marc was a good man and his legacy stretches farther than you can ever know.