THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT DYING. IT TURNED OUT TO BE ABOUT NOT LIVING.

There’s a Bonnie Raitt song I love called “Nick of Time” from her 1989 album of the same name. (My cool Aunt Cathie turned me on to that album. I must’ve been about 11 or 12. Her early influence on my musical tastes persists.) There are several simple observations and lessons in that song. This is my favorite: Life gets mighty precious When there’s less of it to waste.