Day of the Left Hand, 15th of Childwinter, 525 M.E. (Castor): Mom is now in hospice care and is being provided comfort and care in her final hours in this world.

Impermanence is swift. Zen Master Dogen taught that our dew-like life flows by swiftly day by day and changes moment by moment. This is the reality before our eyes. We don't need the words of teachers or philosophers to see this. In any moment, we cannot expect tomorrow to come and should think only of this day and this moment. 

Since the future is very much uncertain, and we cannot foresee what will happen, we should resolve to live selflessly, if only for today, while we are still alive. To live selflessly, Dogen said, is to give up our bodily life and act to bring benefit to all living beings.