I Am a Philosopher - Prepare to be Surprised

Yesterday we attended the funeral of a friend. Myron died suddenly last Sunday night of a heart attack, sitting at his computer with his headphones on.  He was 72 years young and was a vibrant, intelligent, techy kind of guy.  He had physical problems resulting from juvenile diabetes that, over time, had impacts upon his body, but he lived life unimpaired...even meeting a friend for weekly bike rides and taking a brisk walk around his neighborhood the day he died.

At the funeral service the pastor commented on something Myron had said, that he would always "be prepared to be surprised" and the statement has been rattling around in my head since I heard it.  Surprise is "to be astonished by something unexpected."  The thought of the unexpected can generate anxious feelings in me.  I can easily shift into the role of Chicken Little, afraid that the sky is falling, so I live my life trying to prepare for the unexpected.  I save money for a rainy day, I have my car serviced regularly and I take any medications prescribed so I won't be surprised by a negative unexpected.
Yet, on the more positive side, I often find myself saying, "What a wonderful surprise!" experiencing a wide-eyed, open-mouth sense of dismay that I love to see on Gabriel's face. Surprise can be a good thing.  Even in our wedding vows, Jay has promised me "surprises and puzzles!" Those surprises are gifts, little nuggets of energy and wonder.  They can be missed if I am not open to them.

At the risk of sounding too philosophical, I guess the message for me is to keep my eyes lifted...not focusing on the cracks in the sidewalk to prevent tripping but rather, to look out at the horizon, eyes open to what might be revealed and be a beautiful surprise.

So often we say, "life is fragile," and "live each day as if it were your last because someday it will be," and these adages are true.  It is also easy to carry the sense of denial that says "it happens to others but I am immortal."  Myron's death makes me reflect on my life and for that I thank him.  I am sure Myron was surprised when he died.  I hope it was a good surprise. I will miss you, Myron.

Myron