When I was in my early 20s, my great Uncle died of cancer. He had no children, and my Grandmother was not strong enough to move him and do everything he needed help with. So my brother and I volunteered.

One day when the end was getting close, I had been out running errands, and got back to his apartment, and he motioned me over. I had been away for a few hours, so I thought he needed assistance to use the restroom.

He wanted to whisper in my ear. He had been desperate to share a dirty joke he had recalled, and the only person there was my Grandmother, and it wasn't a joke he could tell his older sister.

He had been anxious and asked when I was supposed to be back several times. After telling me the joke, he smiled, and leaned back in his chair. He did make me promise to keep it to myself.

The fact that I wouldn't share the joke with any of other family members (even after he died) drives many of them nuts. Which I am sure was the reason he made me promise to keep it to myself.

That was a moment that I would not have had, if I hadn't taken the opportunity to spend time with the man. I hope I always take advantage of the now, because it may be all we have.