5 Things Said on Deathbeds.

I’m always amazed at the stuff that gets passed around facebook. I enjoy seeing what touches people.

The age-old “what will you say on your deathbed?” question came up the other day on someone’s status. A nurse who deals daily with dying patients; wrote a poignant blog about the 5 most common things she hears.

Watching my mother die and the professionals that helped had a huge impact on me. The environment that was so foreign to me (it’s burned into my memory) was so “usual” to them. They were amazing walking us through this normal part of life. Dying.

I felt blessed to be present as my Mother left her frail earthly cancer-ridden body and entered heaven’s glory. So many people aren’t there at that moment. But these professionals see it regularly.

So, if you were dying right now, what would you be most happy with? What about disappointments? I realize that it’s somewhat a morbid discussion — but shouldn’t we deal with it now (when we can change) than when we’re taking our last breath?

Here’s the answers that the nurse posted (what she hears most often). Perhaps it’ll get you thinking about some much needed resolutions that we all need to make:

1. I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I stayed in touch with friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

That last one bites a bit. I want to be more content. This year I’m going to live my life in the moment. I’m going to be present. And I’m going to be happy knowing that God dealt me these cards and I’m playing them as best as I can.