{ DAY 431 }

Do you ever have those days, weeks, months, years where your brain is trying to process so many things that you don’t even know where to start.  It’s times like that when I just try to put all the open browser windows of my mind to rest and just choose one thing to focus on.  This week one of the beautiful women that I follow on Instagram said goodbye to her amazing mother this side of heaven.  While I’ve only met this incredible person once at my brother’s wedding I wept for her and her family.  Their love for one another was so real and tangible.  Once when I opened up my Instagram I almost lost it because there was a stunning picture of her younger sister in a wedding gown embracing their mother.  Since they knew she didn’t have long till she would be dancing with Jesus they took the opportunity to make special moments right now.  That had a huge impact on me.  Several years ago I had many people die whom I loved dearly.  From that point on I’ve been aware that the time we are given here is precious but that tender moment into the lives of these woman through social media struck me to my core again. It is so incredibly easy to take the people in our lives for granted when really we should be embracing these times.  Yes, the hard ones too.  Have you been up all night with a fussy baby or sick child? That must be unbelievably hard but what a gift that you get to comfort them and be there for their little hearts.  Have you had to cook dinner for the 10,000^th time?  I know it seems mundane but you get to feed people who have eternal souls.  Have you gone to work one more day at a difficult job?  Amazing, that you have the ability to provide for your needs and possibly the needs of others.  Perspective changes things doesn’t it?  Please go hug someone you love and tell them what you appreciate about them.  Take time to create memories with the ones you care about.  They are a gift.

“Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.” Emily Dickinson