When will you realize, Vienna waits for you

I'm sitting here at Firestone getting my oil changed the day before Thanksgiving. I have a full day of work ahead of me and then a few hours of traveling as I get my butt back to New York to spend the holidays with my incredible sister, (Who is my personal hero).  I have been running around like crazy for the last few days getting ready for this trip.  I am feeling anxious because I have a bunch of things that I still need to do and yet, I'm stuck here, sitting, waiting for my oil to get changed.  I'm a busy man and I don't have time for this...so like everyone else who has to endure such inconveniences, I turn to...my phone.  

I have a few hundred songs in that little bit of technological wonder.  I plug in and hit random on my music and what comes up?  A beautiful song  by Billy Joel titled "Vienna".  The soft, gentle sound of the piano fills my ears as I hear this voice, a voice I have known all my life speaks to me, concern in his tone, he pleads with me..."Slow down you crazy child".  Now mind you, I am far removed from adolescence and it has been a long time since I have been called a child, but Billy, (that's what I call him)...old Billy he isn't being condescending or disrespectful, Billy is reminding me that while I am older, I am not old.  I have so much life to live and that if I am not careful, I am going to trade living my wonderful life for existing.  Two very different things.    

As the song plays, I exhale.  I listen to the words.  I close my eyes.  I am not thinking of work right now.  I am thinking of my family.  I am thinking of my friends and I am thinking that I am not giving myself enough time to appreciate my life and the little things that make it worth living;  like a recent road trip with a wonderful person to get Puerto Rican food from the best restaurant in Virginia Beach, a mere 3 hours away from where I live.  The conversations he and I had, the music that played, the laughter at the jokes and the stories.  All things that I experienced, yet haven't taken the time to enjoy the feelings, the sensations, the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of that whole day.  You know why?  Because in my mind, I had been existing instead of living.  It's time for all of us to start living.

Billy reminded me of this as the song comes to its ending.  "and you know that when the truth is told, that you can get what you want or you can just get old. Your gonna kick off before you even get half way through.  When will you realize, Vienna waits for you."  I do have time to stop for a minute and enjoy life.  I don't always have to worry and stress and complain, even when I am doing something that I enjoy.  I can just relax and enjoy it,  Let it all go.  Enjoy life because life is waiting for me to enjoy it.

 I am thankful for my job.  I am thankful for my family.  I am thankful for my friends.  I am thankful for second chances and for opportunities.  I am thankful for road trips and good cigars.  I am thankful for having a job that allows me to help others find fulfillment and worth.  I am thankful that I can make people smile and laugh.  I am thankful that I am not to old to learn and I am thankful that Vienna is still waiting for me.  I hope and pray that those of you who read this can take a moment to realize that Vienna also is waiting for you. 

Here is a link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8jeQIFjPjE

Gotta run, car is done and I have family to enjoy!!  Happy thanksgiving everyone.