The End

The End. Fin. Scene. Happily Ever After.
Those are all ways that stories end.  How we know that time is frozen for the characters or that the rest of their lives will be all rainbows and butterflies. Then, we go about our own lives.  We put the book down or leave the theater and resume where we left off. 

So, what about the stories that we live?  What about those endings? 
Sometimes, we know when something is about to end & we can take in the moments differently.  I know that my last few days of high school were all about "Guys! This is the last time we will eat lunch at school/get my books out of my locker/chat before the 2 minute bell rings!" or "I will never have to listen to that teacher blab on about **insert least favorite subject** again." 
Right now, I'm having those moments.  Excited that this is *crossing my fingers* about to be my last semester of college ever. With the endings we know about, there are always those actions we spend extra time on, or appreciate a little more than usual. 

Then, there are the endings we aren't prepared for.  Ones that aren't marked on a calendar or anticipated.  They aren't a due date for a paper or a special anniversary that you've made plans for months in advance.  These endings, or losses, can be devastating.  Something I'm slowly learning is that it's okay that there might be a giant gaping hole where something was lost, where an ending made its mark, but it does get you thinking about those last moments that you didn't realize should be treasured.  The last kiss with someone you love, the last shared laugh with a friend, the last hug from a parent, the last walk through a favorite place, the last time you'll ever have the ability to do a certain thing.

When things end, you are stuck with the memories.  Whether you knew it was coming or not, that is all that you've got.  These memories will sneak up on you, little reminders that you didn't know would hide under the surface.  Sometimes, it's a silly joke & it makes you giggle in front of a random person and there is no possible way for you to explain what just happened.
Everything comes to an end- regardless of how we feel.  Relationships, jobs, times of our life- situations good or bad, being loved or suffering- it all ends at some point.  I think I have finally gotten around to making sure that I enjoy the important moments as they happen, instead of appreciating them after they are gone. 

Basically, I am sharing this oh-so-profound moment of mine because my favorite part about this type of thinking is that it gives me a reason to look a little more closely at things.  In November, I thought about what I was thankful for each day, but in December, I have made it a point to pick out the specific things about people/places that I would miss the most, and in turn it has made me appreciate them now even more than ever.  I have these traits tucked away- a favorite laugh, a phrase or word that is always said, the goofy story that gets told every time but will never get old.  You'd be surprised how much more there is to notice when you do it on purpose.

It obviously won't keep an end from coming out of no where, but stock piling good things now definitely can't hurt.