In Thornton Wilder’s play, Our Town, Emily, the main character, dies while giving birth to a child. In the afterlife, Emily is granted one wish, and she chooses to watch herself and her family live out one day of the life she left behind. Emily chooses her twelfth birthday. She watches herself and family as they talk and interact and carry on the ordinary daily activities.
From Emily’s perspective, as an invisible observer, she is disturbed and horrified by what she witnesses and hears. Neither she nor her family members seem to give any serious attention to one another. Newly aware of how precious life is, she becomes upset and angry because none of them are emotionally involved in their interactions. Everyone is casual in what they say and do, not understanding as she does from the other side of death, that they will never get this day back. She agonizes over the way the day transpires. She cannot stand to watch herself and her family waste what she knows to be so precious. She is shocked that they live life with so little reflection on its importance.
In the play, Emily turns to the audience and cries out, “Do any of you ever really live life while you're living it?”
Are you really living? We fail to spend ample time reflecting on our lives.
I remember one night, when my kids were still babies, very small and precious, sleeping in their room. I can still see their beautiful faces and their peaceful innocence. I stood by them for a long time, just watching their chests rise and fall in complete peace. I now know I can never get that moment back. I wish I had done more such reflecting. I wish I had taken less for granted during our precious time together.
This week reflect on your relationships… and live life with passion!
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