This moment...

You know, those days after Maria's death weighed heavy on me. I was so sad, and cried many times -- every time I read an article or blog or watched a video or listened to certain songs. It truly is amazing how much a person can hurt for people who are "strangers"... but feel, in some way, like family. I know that many of you understand... I continue to keep the Chapmans, and especially dear Will, in my prayers.

(Just this minute, as I finished typing that paragraph, the song "Miracle of the Moment" came on my media player... interesting, as I was listening to something else...)

I went to a funeral today. A former assistant librarian, for almost 20 years, passed away this past week after a year-long battle with cancer. Her funeral was very nice. Her grandchildren shared memories -- through laughter and tears -- and the minister talked about her, things that the family had shared with her. Janet was an outspoken, adventurous, full-of-life woman. For many years her and her husband were members of the ReTreads motorcycle club and traveled all over, until he became sick with cancer and died 8 years ago. At 71, she went zip-lining and para-sailing in Mexico. She was on an Alaskan cruise with a friend last year just before she was diagnosed with cancer. She lived her life to the fullest, and it sounded like she loved to the fullest.

As I sat there, I thought about those I love. (Oh man, now "Cinderella" is playing... ). I thought about how much I miss those who aren't near me. And I thought about how short life is, no matter how much time we get. How we need to treasure every moment, and especially those moments with our loved ones. To make sure we tell them, often, that we love them. Enjoy our time together, not let little "unimportant" things get in the way, have fun and LAUGH! :-) Live fully. Love fully.

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• Tomorrow is Rob's birthday. 28 years old. Wow... Vanessa's coming down to celebrate with him. She's bringing cheesecake. Yum... :-)
• Chantelle is overjoyed that Terry is back in New Zealand, and he brought a friend back with him. They are all going to work back at the mountain where they were last year. So she won't be home until at least the end of October... could be later. Some day... haha.
• Sheldon has had a bit of a difficult time lately... I hope he is okay. He doesn't tell me much. I miss him...
• I'm almost done my Children's and YA Literature course. Only a couple of weeks left. It's been fun and I've learned alot. I have a couple of months off, and start the next class in late August.
• I have so many things I need get to get done and I need the motivation to do them. I find it hard to stay focussed, I'm so easily distracted. And some days I'm so tired of having to do so much by myself. I need to concentrate on the goal and just keep taking the steps to get there. One thing at a time...

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As I finish this post...
Currently playing: You Are Being Loved ~ Steven Curtis Chapman :-)