Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - “Eulogy”

(I considered not posting this today because of the heartbreaking news from this week.  Please read to the end to understand why I am.)

I watched an episode from the newest season of “Black Mirror” last night; I had forgotten how thought provoking it is.  The episode was titled “Eulogy” and it was the story of a man, played by Paul Giamatti, who receives a package from a “memory collection service” in preparation for the funeral of someone from his past.  To aid his memory, the service is able to place him inside of photos he finds. 
As always on “Black Mirror” the unintended consequences of entering his photos force the main character to question his memories of the failed relationship he had with this person.  And, without hopefully giving too much away, he discovers that he missed or wasn’t aware of some important details that could have changed the trajectory of his life dramatically.  It was heart breaking.
It got me thinking about the importance of awareness and reminded me of something I used to ask my students when it felt like their eyes were too focussed on their screens - What if the thing that might inspire the rest of your life passes you by simply because you’re not paying attention?
This triggered Thoreau who wrote, “most men lead lives of quiet desperation.”  Which, to me, isn’t saying that so many are simply unhappy.  It goes deeper than that.  There seem to be many who give the appearance of outward contentment, who, in fact, never followed their true desires and because of this feel stifled or unfulfilled. 
I can’t help but wonder if this is because they “missed their calling” due to a lack of attention?  Or perhaps they were convinced their inner desires didn’t fit in with societal expectations, which is also a type of distraction. 
Which brings me back to where I started.  There are likely some who will read this and think I’m being insensitive by posting this today.  I am not following societal expectations when it comes to death and mourning. 
But this is part of the point I’m trying to make.  Life is fleeting.  At some point we will have to say goodbye to everyone we know…and we’ll be lucky if we get the chance to as life can change in an instant.  Which is why, as I now understand it, my parents always hugged me and told me they loved me when we were leaving each other.  This was often accompanied by “Just in case this is our last time together” or “Just in case we die.”  Something that I (annoyingly?) continue to do with my family and close friends.
Although many will see this as morbid, I do not.  Because if we treat every moment we have with each other as our last, we appreciate and are more grateful for the short time we have together.  And we’ll never run the risk of not saying goodbye to the people who are most important to us.
Sending much peace and love to all, but especially to those impacted by this weekend’s tragedy.