“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” — Marcus Aurelius

What is life?

Life is the ultimate privilege. We brought our two children into the world to give them the gift of life. When I think about life and our time here on this Earth, I think about the path our lives take us and what a privilege it is to have been given this opportunity.

I know some people may not view it that way, but I see my 90-year-old Yiayia lying in her bed at her nursing home. I picture all the memories we have together; the meals, the laughs, the cries, the hugs, the kisses—all shared. Her life, moving to Australia from Greece, working a factory job whilst having five children. Raising them. Watching them grow. Watching them get married and start their own families—the privilege.

I think of two friends who left this world before their time. What a joy it was to know them and to be in their presence—how I would treasure another moment with them now, if only.

What is death?

Death to me is the end of life. Unfortunately, this can happen to people while they are still alive. They are existing but not necessarily living. They have lost the light that once pulled them forward and run out of a future to believe in. It is hard to see someone you love dearly battle with this reality. I hope that anyone feeling this way finds their compelling future and reason to live—their reason to call this one true precious life—a privilege.

In the end, I can’t think of death without first thinking of life.

All the love in our years. The mountains of emotions we share, the experiences that shape us and force us to grow into something even bigger and better than we could have possibly imagined.

The smiles, the tears, the laughs. The adventures, the everyday blessings, the empathy, gratitude, and love we all experience bring us together and anchor us as a collective in the present moment.

What a gift it is to breathe, to learn, to grow, to experience—to be human. Or better yet, a soul having a human experience.