A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

When Andy was growing up, we took hundreds of pictures of him. What a blessing those pictures are today. We were able to track his life and growth through the years. As he got older, he didn't love having his picture taken as much, so they became fewer. Thinking about those pictures made me start thinking about living in the here and now. Aren't photos an amazing thing? You can freeze one moment in time to have forever--a moment that can never be relived.

Think about that...any given moment of your life...you can never relive. Doesn't that make you want to appreciate every moment more? I think we get so caught up in our daily lives that we don't recognize the wonder all around us. Like right now, I am looking at my Christmas tree and really focusing on it. It is so beautiful...the white tree with the twinkling white lights covered in clear glass ornaments and angels and white poinsettias, all topped with a long, shiny silver bow. And as I turn off all the lights, it is even more magical. I hadn't noticed until just now how incredibly gorgeous it is! But I'm glad I took the time to live in this moment and really appreciate my tree.

I used to relish every hug I ever got from Andy. He was the best hugger, even as a young adult. What I wouldn't give to get one of his awesome hugs today. But I sure appreciated them when I had them, and for that reason it is easy for me to remember them. There were times I could have enjoyed his wanting my attention more. "Watch Mom!" was a phrase he used often. And usually I did, but sometimes I was too "busy" to pay attention. Those were missed opportunities for me to appreciate the wonder that was my son. Now, I know that we can't drop everything every time our child wants us to, but I guarantee it is possible to do so more often than we do. Oh, I would stop anything I could possibly be doing to watch Andy do anything today.

The day he died, I had a sticky note stuck on my kitchen cabinet saying "take a picture of Andy." It had been there about a week. It had been awhile since I had taken a snap of him, and I really wanted a recent picture. But I was so "busy", I kept saying "oh yeah, I really need to do that tomorrow." How I wish I had taken action in the moment and gotten that picture. I don't blame myself...we all get wrapped up in day-to-day living. But I sure do wish...

So here's what I am asking you to do because I know for a fact you will be happy you did it some day...be more present in the moment, especially with your children, if you have them. And do yourself the favor of appreciating the everyday wonder all around you. Don't miss a golden opportunity to create a wonderful and lasting memory!