The 'Click'

Something has changed.  You know, the proverbial "click".
I'm of the firm belief that it's rarely just one incident that brings on this clearing of the mind but rather a culmination of many less sensory 'clicks' that culminate in the one larger "Ah ha" moment.
Father announced at mass yesterday morning that Joan ____ had died (I didn't understand the last name), and I eventually found it to be a woman with whom I was acquainted.  Many years ago, Joan and I had the shared experience of being "Pink Ladies", volunteering at our local hospital.  I later recognized her as we attended mass at our small Catholic Church.  Several years my senior with a more reserved personality (toward me at the very least), it wasn't too surprising that our lives rarely intersected other than a friendly "hello" on a Sunday morning.
But this past February, as I was getting preregistered for my gallbladder surgery, I found Joan doing the same exact thing.  She too would be going in to have her gallbladder removed around the same time as my scheduled surgery!  Always a friendly conversation, on the few occasions that we did encounter one another, we spoke of what brought us to the necessity of this procedure.  I promised my prayers for the success of her's and asked that she pray for me, too.  It was a pleasant meeting and a touch of connectedness to know that I wouldn't be entirely alone on this surgery floor the next day.
I encountered Joan and her husband on a couple of occasions in the following months to find that she had a bit of trouble after her surgery but, once again, promised my prayers as we carried on with our different worlds.
The news of her death was unexpected (no great surprise since our lives rarely intersected) and brought  sadness.  The fact that we didn't know each other very well was trumped by the fact that this was a person with whom I had shared just a hand full of small, but meaningful, life experiences.  The human condition is a challenging one but always made easier by traveling companions.  Joan had touched my life on only a few occasions, but the connection, and not the length of time, was what was most important.
And so it is that the death of this fellow human being brought about, what I believe to be, the culmination of this sensory 'click' felt in my soul.  "Life is short."  I've repeated this same little cliche more times than I can even begin to imagine, but the death of this fellow 'earth-mate' brought this reality from head to heart in a sobering moment; the "click".
It's not just a cliche.  At this point in my earthly journey, with the blessing of 54 years, many beautiful experiences and my share of heartaches under my belt,  this reality rings true in my soul with a sensation reserved for only the most meaningful of revelations.
The CLICK has turned something on deep within me; an illumination to guide me.  A guide to new appreciation? new understanding? new opportunity? new courage?  I suspect it's a combination of all of these gifts to lead me toward the fuller life for which God has always intended for me.  Waiting and watching patiently He's now aware that I've 'clicked' the switch.  I feel confident that new treasures await my heart and mind.
Death truly does bring new life, in more ways than one.