Give Til You Can’t

Because you don’t know how many you have left

R C Hammond 😎 FHB, BTDT
Pragmatic Wisdom
2 min readJun 15, 2023

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Photo by Zoe on Unsplash

Allow me, please, to proclaim we have no idea. So, grab some of your favorite liquid inspiration and join me in a joint pondering.

I had an awakening of sorts recently. A revelation. From where it came, I will continue to wonder. Maybe, a sometimes reluctance to bound out of bed. Or a growing list of body protestations.

I got a card not long ago from someone named Mortality to remind me now of recommended annual check-ups. When and how did I end up on its mailing list?

Sometimes, that pesky neighbor named Ambivalence knocks, and I quickly tell it to leave. Hopefully, I never invite this annoying presence into my life.

A deep dive into the subject of, How Many Are Left? Without yet discovery at the bottom. Another dive is planned; I think I would still like an answer. Maybe not.

Aging produces many emotions and reflections that were shoved aside before. You know, the “I’m busy and don’t have time for such silliness!” times. That’s ok; it’s all relative. They never leave, though, just sit patiently in the back of the room until called.

They are now understood and appreciated.

In a nutshell, what I’m leading to is we don’t know. Sure, upon hearing tragic news from a doctor about a damning prognosis, you may now have a number to grimace over, sadly, but for most of us, the unknown. Only fate knows, and it doesn’t share. Would some of the following give you pause?

I love you! from someone dear.

Hi, honey, I’m home!

Hey buddy, good to see you!

A thanks for helping out.

An unexpected kiss.

A hug meant as comfort or appreciation.

An inviting touch.

Holding hands.

An adoring glance.

Sharing a glass.

A walk in the rain.

Those spontaneous outings, filled with laughter at simple things.

An intentional mystery of life? How would we really act if we knew? And who were you before you found out? And now, because you do know, you become someone you never were. How Many Are Left?

In closing, I propose that you give until you can’t.

Thanks for reading.

The title of this post is a variation of the song, Til You Can’t by Cody Johnson. Here it is. Please listen. I’ll bet you tear up too.

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R C Hammond 😎 FHB, BTDT
Pragmatic Wisdom

A recent US immigrant to Spain. What could go wrong? Dog dad. Reach me by email: rhammond2448@yahoo.com