Some of my friends, especially caver ones, may recognize that quote. I saw it on a bumper sticker today. Often it’s said after someone tells a story about some harrowing caving or hiking trip. “But did you die?” Well you’re telling the story, so obviously not, so it’s all good.

But while biking I saw it today and it reminded me that my existence is but a brief second in the so far 15 billion year history of the universe. Some unique set of circumstances overcame quantum disturbances and locally countered the Second Law of Thermodynamics and I came into existence. At some point my consciousness will flicker out and the universe will carry on. But in the meantime, I am alive. I am here. I exist. And I will enjoy every moment of that existence. I will rejoice in the dancing of cosmic dust that has come together for this brief moment to create me.

Someday I will die. But for now, did I die? No, I revel in life!