We had just enjoyed a lovely evening at a waterside table, overlooking the famed San Antonio River Walk. Lights played across the ripples left in the wake of the tourist boats as ducks vied for tortilla chip crumbs, all against the backdrop of live mariachis.

Tex-Mex and margaritas consumed, we strolled hand-in-hand along the water and back toward our car. We were quiet, soaking in the atmosphere, when a couple walked past us, heading in the direction from which we’d come. They were talking to each other, but it wasn’t until the second when they were in tandem with us that we could hear what they said. What she was saying, to be precise.

We’ve only got about twenty good summers left. What are we going to do with them?

“Did you hear that?” I asked Kevin as we walked on. “That woman. Did you hear her?”

“Twenty good summers?” he replied.

Yes.

And we kept walking.

And I kept thinking.

This is the third in a series of “limited time on this planet” scenarios that have presented themselves to me this week. I’m not one of those people who sees this as a sign of impending doom; I don’t really tend to think that way. I am, however, a person who sees things of a repetitive nature as a call to pay attention.

I have things I want to do, to accomplish, to see, to experience, in this second half of my life. I bet you do, too. I have to ask…

What are we waiting for?

If it’s money, things ticked off a to-do list, hitting the next level in your job, retirement, time…well, I hate to be the one to beat a dead horse, but NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE GUARANTEED.

All those things that swim around in my head? The dreams? The plans? The ways I’d like to affect this world for the next? I’m going to write them down.  They are going to become my to-do list. Maybe you should do the same. Then we’ll be able to answer that woman’s question. We’ll know what we’re going to do with twenty good summers.

Or one good summer.

Or, Lord willing, one GOOD DAY.

And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” ~ James 4:13-14 MSG

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. ~ Proverbs 19:21 MSG