Time. A concept so familiar, yet so elusive. How do we measure five years? Is it a blink of an eye, an eternity, or perhaps what the Swedes call “lagom” – just right? 

Recently, we shared news about Håkan’s life expectancy with our inner circle. The responses were as varied as they were telling. Some faces fell, mourning the years potentially lost. Others, struggling to process, quickly changed the subject to a lighter fare – like recent bear sightings in our neighbourhood. (I’ll admit, it’s far easier to discuss furry intruders than to confront mortality.) A few ‘avoiders’ insisted on an imminent cure, their words well-intentioned but somehow leaving me feeling more disconnected than comforted. 

But how did I, the bearer of this weighty news, handle it? 

I didn’t rage against the unfairness of life. I didn’t sink into days of pre-emptive grief. Instead, I chose to embrace a perspective that aligns with Håkan’s: we have been gifted five precious years. 

You see, we’ve had inklings that Håkan’s health was veering off course. When the diagnosis wasn’t the dreaded “leukemia” we’d feared, we felt an odd sense of relief. It’s all about expectations, isn’t it? 

Sure, my mind occasionally wanders down dark, irrational paths. But I’ve learned to observe these thoughts, acknowledge the “system error” they represent, and gently guide my focus back to what truly matters: the here, the now, and the miracle of life itself. 

A recent conversation with friends facing their own health challenges solidified this outlook. As we sat surrounded by nature’s splendour, discussing life’s essence, a profound truth reaffirmed. What matters most is this moment. This breath. This miraculous existence we’ve been granted. 

Our very presence in this world is a wonder beyond measure. Every day, every experience beyond that initial gift? It’s a bonus – an extra scoop of ice cream on an already delightful sundae. 

So, how do I measure five years? Not in days or months, but in moments of genuine connection. In breaths of crisp mountain air. In the warmth of a loved one’s embrace. In the awe-inspiring realization that we are here, now, experiencing the grand miracle of being alive. 

Life isn’t about reaching a predetermined finish line. It’s about savoring the journey, however long or short it may be. It’s about illuminating the present with gratitude, love, and a deep appreciation for the extraordinary gift of existence. 

This is our time. This is our miracle. Let’s live it fully, right here, right now.