Exploring The Ordinary
Yesterday morning began as usual without any extraordinary occurrences. We arose from our slumber anticipating a leisurely Summer day. All was well throughout the day until we received an evening call which changed all of that. We went from exploring the ordinary to being thrown into a situation we’ve never encountered before.
“They’re taking Mom to the hospital. She’s unresponsive.”
My daughter sat with a look of disbelief on her face as she repeated the words her friend had spoken a few seconds earlier.
“Where are they taking her?” I asked, followed by, “Tell him we will meet them there!”
We all sat in silence as we made our way to the hospital as we whispered prayers straight from our hearts to God’s ears.
Our prayers were interrupted mere minutes from reaching the hospital as he called back and said, “She’s gone …”
Oh, Dear God …
We rounded the corner of the emergency room parking lot, searched the people standing outside, and scanned the cars parked nearby. There in the back of the lot was his white Acura with the door open. We approached the car slowly as we did not see anyone inside at first. Then we saw him laying almost lifeless himself across the seat of the car with his hand over his face sobbing deeply. I ran to him, pulled him up out of the seat and held him close to me as he cried, soaking the arm of my shirt with his heartbreaking tears.
His mother was gone. The only true mother figure in his life was gone. This woman, his grandmother, stepped in when he was only four days old, to care for him. She became his “Mom” at that point, and she raised him as her very own all these years. At 19 years old, his heart broke right there last night and shattered into a million pieces. We got there as soon as we could to gather those shattered pieces and hold him as tightly as our arms could.
This was most certainly not an ordinary day at all as it ended in such heartbreak and pain. Watching our dear friend trying so hard to be strong was excruciating for us as there was nothing we could do to take this pain from him. All we could do was hold him, pray for him, and ask God to comfort as only He can at a time like this.
One thing we know for certain is this woman left this world last night and was rejoicing with her Lord and Savior that night. As we wrapped our strong arms around him to hold him up, Jesus opened His Almighty Arms and welcomed her Home.
None of us know when our time on this earth is through. Let us all get our hearts and lives right so when our time comes, our loved ones will know without a doubt that we’re in Heaven as well.
Love Is In The Air
Love is in the air. Do you feel it?
Floating past you seemingly unnoticed at first, then knocking you off your feet.
The tall, dark, and handsome man across the room glances at you and continues to sneak a peek hoping you won’t catch him, and yet you do. Frozen in time for a moment, his face flushes red as he turns away only to look back at you as you’re now watching him.
And so it begins.
A soft smile forms on your lips as you look down and to the side.
Fast forward and these once shy teenagers are now older doing this thing called “Life” together.
Hand in hand. Heart to heart.
Love has brought fourth two beautiful children. When you didn’t think it possible to have any greater love, you became a mother! Now, without a doubt, you know the meaning of unconditional love.
Soft cries in the night, those of your newborn baby girl. Rushing to her side, cradling her in your arms, you look down at the face of an angel. God’s angel. He sent her to this earth for you to nurture, love, shelter and protect. And she gave your life new meaning and purpose.
Years later, after trouble, adversity, tragedy, and heartache struck, God blessed you with your miracle from above. Your heart’s desire now wrapped securely in a blanket, placed in your arms as you cry tears of pure joy at another angel God has trusted you with.
Your life feels complete. Your family unit now whole. And all is right in the world.
Years pass by, and your babies grow up. One now 19, the other knocking on the door of her 12th birthday. The pregnancy you lost never forgotten.
You reflect back, and it all seems like yesterday. You can recall every precious moment with your baby girls, all the beautiful firsts. And you look around and wonder where the time has gone? Why did your babies have to grow up so incredibly fast? It’s like you blinked, and they transformed into a grown up version of the little ones you once held hands with crossing the street. Yet you treasure every memory you’re blessed to have, and you take way too many pictures of moments to make them last a lifetime. Savoring every single moment in time, loving with all your might, pouring out all of yourself into your family. Grasping every fraction of a second you can with them before they’re grown enough to extend their wings to fly.
And you dread when that day comes knowing your heart will break. As you wave your hand high in the air at them going down the driveway while blinking back tears, the love you share with your children will remain forever.
Whether near or far, love is where you are … right there tucked inside your heart.
Forever.
And no one can take that from you.
Protect What Matters Most
The fourth of July has come and gone, and every year we hear horror stories of people injured by fireworks.
This morning I opened a news article where a 15 year old boy made a bomb out of 200 sparklers. In the interview, his mom and aunt talked of how he did this every year.
I have to stop right there and ask the question: WHY would you allow your child to play with fireworks and make bombs? Why?
The mother and aunt were in tears, and rightfully so. Their precious loved one is in critical condition, having part of his leg amputated. As he is still in a coma, they are unsure if the boy will lose his vision as a result of the explosion. His friend was also injured in the explosion, and he has to return to the hospital to have metal removed from his eyes.
Protect what matters most!
Do NOT allow your children to play with things of this nature.
About three years ago, my family and I decided to stay in for the 4th of July. We purchased our own fireworks and decided to have a fun time at home celebrating. My husband was to be the one to set the fireworks up and light them. My daughters and I had our beach chairs reclined in anticipation of a fabulous show. The first few fireworks were just fine, but something went terribly wrong when the roman candle fell on its side and started shooting right at us! My daughters and I jumped up from our chairs and started running toward the house for cover. As I tried to run, I tripped over my chair, and instantly I felt a hard metal ball hit my leg. It stung, which only made me run faster with greater determination to get away from it. After the roman candle was finally empty and I made sure my children were safe, I vowed that we would never, ever attempt to do fireworks at home again! And, we haven’t. Thankfully, I was the only one hit, and it did not penetrate my skin.
The whole ordeal was frightening, to say the least. This incident happened with fireworks we bought at the store. I cannot imagine trying to make one yourself and having tragedy strike.
I know the mom and aunt are living with regret today having allowed the boy to participate in such an act. It is extremely sad that this has ultimately altered his entire life now.
Parents, please protect what is nearest and dearest to your heart – your children! Protect what matters most!
If you want to enjoy fireworks, go to a show where the experts handle all of it – every single bit of it! That way you and your family can kick back, relax, and enjoy the show. There are places all over our small community offering places for the family to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks. I’m sure they are in your area as well. It just is not worth it to risk doing it yourself at home OR making firework bombs.
Pray for the 15 year old and his family, as well as his friend that was also injured yesterday.
