One Year to Live

As this new year unfolds, what would happen if you knew it was your last?

Doctors are nowhere near this accurate, but if they were able to tell you precisely when you will die, and there’s no wiggle room, no magic drug, what would you do? For the sake of discussion, you have sufficient funds on hand to do any of the following. 

If the doctors say you have one year to live; what would you do? Would you live out a bucket list? A week in Key West watching the gorgeous sunsets. A week in Iceland watching the Northern Lights. Maybe a safari. Travel and splurge. Good for you. Then…

How about if they told you that you had a month to live? There’d be time for at least one bucket item. Then time to gather the family and revel in the glorious life you’ve had. Say your goodbyes. Dispose of property. Then…

Your time left is one week? Maybe you freshen up your estate plan. Maybe you plan your departure ceremony. Gather the family. Lots of hugs. Then…

What if you had one day to live? I met such a man. He knew his body was going to fail him on Monday. He called me to prepare his will. It was interesting. His kids and grandkids were milling about, his hospice care nurse was on standby, but he was very lucid and matter of fact about it. He did pass away on Monday. But for many, it’d be gather the family around, give “old person” advice like work less and love more, enjoy a last meal if able. Then…

What if the doctors told you that you had one hour left? There’s time to embrace your loved ones around you. Maybe a few phone calls. But no time to worry about property. Then…

When you have one minute to live, and that’s all, do you complain to God? Or bless God for the joyful abundance? Call upon Him for eternal salvation? Because it’s never too late. If you get one minute. Then…

Slip away. From there, we know little about anyone’s particular destination. We want to believe the best, but we don’t know. Believers know that Christ awaits them. Buddhists and Hindus believe in reincarnation. Atheists believe that darkness is the result. Agnostics don’t know what happens. 

I pray that you have many years left on this earth to do everything you wish. I can say this. I’ve never met an elderly person who wanted to live forever, although they exist I’m told. So live now. Life is good!

Kelly Burke was born in Knoxville where he spent his younger years, followed by high school years in Atlanta where he graduated from Georgia Tech, and Mercer Law School. He has been in private practice, a magistrate judge, and an elected district attorney. He writes about the law, politics, music, and Ireland. He and his wife enjoy gardening, playing with their Lagotto Ramanolo named George Harrison, and spending time with their grandchildren. To see this column or Kelly’s archives, visit www.kellyrburke.com. You can email Kelly at dakellyburke@gmail.com.