24 hours

If I had 24 hours left to live, I would spend them much like I just spent the last 24 hours. I would pepper my last two turns of the clock with my brother, sister-in-law, niece, and dearest friends, but otherwise I wouldn't change much. I would not go skydiving. I would not try to make it to Hawaii to finish that bucket list. I would just live, coffee to coffee, loved one to loved one, sun ray to mountain vista.

I would listen to live music with a man who I think is pretty terrific. I would smile at his laugh.

I would read a book by Mark Twain.

I would pray...fall asleep praying.

I would wake with a big stretch and a "Good morning, God!"

I would let the sun kiss my face as I sat on the steps waiting for my parents to pick me up and take me to breakfast, just like we've done every Saturday for nearly 30 years. I would delight in sharing life with them over blueberry pancakes and whipped cream.

I would feel the road beneath me, and I would stop for coffee at a gas station on the way because it's there and I always want coffee.

I would play disc golf with my dad.

I would marvel at my mom's beauty in the open field.

I would eat cheap, authentic tacos at the local taco truck.

I would take photos and walk to my favorite coffee shop to edit them. And, of course, I'd drink one last mug of a really good brew...preferably Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.

I would ride my bike and stop to smell the lilacs growing along the road. 

I would watch the sun set behind the mountains outside my kitchen window.

I would bake a birthday cake for a friend, licking batter from the beaters and dancing in my kitchen, just me and my music and God.

I would wash my face and brush my teeth while stretching, and I would pray.

Fall asleep praying.