I have heard that I cannot picture in my mind a number approaching one million. It’s too big a number to hold inside my brain and comprehend at once.
Just as well, I cannot hold in my mind the value of someone’s life. There are so many years, days, hours, minutes, and seconds–all moments making up a life.
And, I find each moment greatly valuable. They are the price of life, and I cannot picture the total worth of these moments in my mind.
The price of a dog, if I am lucky, is 14 years worth of moments.
These moments coincide with my life and travel along next to me, and then end.
I am left with … I do not know what. Memories, yes. Bits and pieces of unknowable value lodged inside me, hopefully forever.
I wish I could see the value of a life, all at once, all of life’s worth at the same time. But I can’t. My mind is too small. The weight of it too great for me to carry. I can only think about little pieces here and there.
I remember my friend, walking with her down a trail every day for 14 years. Then I remember that friend, she goes away and leaves me with bits and pieces inside me. I will miss her very much.
–Hans Bluedorn
