Unused Life

“I've led such a little life. And even that will be over pretty soon. I have allowed myself to lead this little life, when inside me there was so much more. And it's all gone unused. And now it never will be. Why do we get all this life if we don't ever use it? Why do we get all these feelings and dreams and hopes if we don't ever use them? That's where Shirley Valentine disappeared to. She got lost in all this unused life." ~ Shirley Valentine in play of the same name

Friends and I went to see the theatre production of Shirley Valentine last night. Played brilliantly by Nicola Cavendish, Shirley has the audience in stitches within minutes. On occasion though, you can almost feel a tear well up in the more serious moments like this reflection above.

As we walked back to the car, raving about the play, I mused that it is really a very sad play, despite all the comical moments. I insisted that I would not want my friend to come and tell me that she was bolting off to Greece and having an affair because she was bored with her husband. Yes, she finds the long-lost Shirley Valentine in the process but that comes at a great price. Many marriages and friendships die a slow and painful death due to routine and monotony. People stop infusing joy and newness into their relationships.

Living fully is a challenge—one I have tried to undertake seriously. Life is big and there are so many options. Today's is the first anniversary of the deaths of my uncle and my sister-in-law's sister. They both touched a lot of lives in different ways and I know they chased after some dreams and hopes. I pray that when I die no one laments that I got lost in an unused life.

Peace,

Suzanne