It’s a beautiful day here in Central Florida, temperature in the low seventies. bright sunshine, just the hint of a breeze. I am blessed to be here to enjoy this day, and you can be sure I am going to make the most of it. I am not going to worry about catching ebola – or developing shingles or whatever.

The TV screen is rank with fear. We must beware! ISIS is coming! Ebola is here! The Republicans are poised to win control of Congress! One out of three people succumbs to this or that.

But I have not succumbed so far. And with luck I will not succumb today.

Life is so precious – and so fragile. My beloved sister Elizabeth just passed through the valley of the shadow of death, uncertain of the destination. Brain surgery to remove a tumor that could have proved deadly.

But praise the Lord, she is home from the hospital, expected to make a full recovery. Another affirmation of the power of prayer.

The young man who lived in the house at the end of our cul de sac was not so fortunate. I learned over the weekend that he is dead. Liver cancer, I was told by one of the men felling and trimming trees and clearing brush over at the yard.

I knew the man who lived there. He looked robust. He was private but friendly. He gave me a tour of the house when he moved in. He introduced me to his young son and daughter, who were in the family room watching TV. He was divorced, I believe, and had the children on weekends.

That was quite a few years ago. His children are teenagers now. And their father is gone – just like that.

My mother used to say we live on God’s eyelash, and if he blinks we fall into oblivion.

Thankfully, it’s a sunny day here on God’s eyelash, the sky is bright blue, and the  bromeliads Elizabeth gave me are blooming.

This moment is mine to enjoy and I will enjoy it, regardless of what the future might have in store.