Last Day of Normal

I could tell there was something wrong. He hadn't been the same the last few months. I just couldn't figure what it was.
"This is my last day of normal," he said to me. He had this half smile, half frightened look on his face. Unusual for my friend.
"You haven't been normal since I've known you, so I can't imagine why tomorrow would be any different," I said laughing.
He didn't respond. I knew then that this might be big.
I waited a few moments and then asked, "So, why will tomorrow be different?"
"I had some tests done recently. I was having problems with my thinking. You know, forgetting and stuff. I just thought it was a part of getting older," he said.
Then looking over the top of his glasses he said, "But this is more than forgetting where I put my keys."
"What kind of tests did you have?"
"Cognitive tests to test my memory and basic understanding."
"So, you're worried about the results?"
"Scared to death!" he said with big, broad expressions on his face. "I didn't do well in the tests."
"So, you're 'last day of normal' means that tomorrow things might be different?"
"Yes, today my life is the way it has been for as long as I can remem...," he stopped in the middle of the word.
"Remember," I added.
"Yes, remember."
"I won't get into 'every tomorrow is different,' or remind you that it may very well be different because it will be better, or happier, or simply a new direction for your life."
"Please don't do that inspirational stuff on me," he said.
"Nope. Not trying to. I just wanted to plant this seed in your brain. This will go one of two ways. Either there is a challenge or there isn't. If there is, I know you well enough that you will make it right, as right as it can be. If there isn't a problem, I want you to promise me that you will never be 'normal' again."
"What?"
"This may sound sick, but I believe we would all benefit from a life threatening moment, a near death experience. It is not until we come close enough to lose it that we really appreciate what we have. Sometimes, some people walk away from such events and go right back into 'normal' mode without any real appreciation for life. I want you to promise me that either way you will never see your life as normal again."
He was speechless.
"Do you hear me? I want you to live life bigger than ever, wider, stronger and fuller. That, by most people's standards is NOT normal."
He turned to me and said, "Will you join me?"
"Yes, I promise!"
He hugged me and said, "I'll never forget you, my friend."
So, if you are facing any new challenges in your life and fear that today may be your last day of normal, be grateful for it. Tomorrow will be your first day of "exceptional!"