A Friend

A friend of ours passed away a few days ago, and since then I have been thinking of the miracle of life, how precious it is, and how fleeting. I suddenly want to hold my family closer, to say 'I love you" louder, to try to remember every little thing that makes them all precious to me. I look at those around me and wonder what life would be like without them there. What would it be like to not have children call me just to say hello, or to tell me about their day.
As these past two days have gone by and we have talked about this friend that is now gone, it almost seemed to be a dream. You know those kind of dreams where you know it is not real, but you just can't seem to wake up? Only waking up will make no difference. What a blessing the gospel of Jesus Christ is, and the knowledge that life does not end with this life. Years ago I heard a song, and for a long time the only words I could remember where "Earth is not our goal". Many times in the past I have had to hang on to that thought. Earth is not our goal, and what comes after will be glorious.

Many Miracles

As I sit to write of the miracles yesterday, my heart is still touched and tears still come. It was just about this time yesterday morning when we received a call to come and pick the girls up at school-there had been a bus accident. At that time we had no idea if it was their bus or not-all we knew was that the girls were ok. As the day went on and more information came out, the miracles mounted.
Miracle #1: there were only 5 children on the bus, rather than the bus the girls rode on which was full of children.
Miracle #2: the required 5 point harness seat belt that every child wore! Every child was kept securely in place, shaken up and bruised, but safe!
Miracle #3: the fuel tanker truck involved had just unloaded and was empty.
Miracle #4: the car directly behind the bus carried 2 local EMT's who immidiatly sprang into action.
Miracle #5: you only have to look at the pictures from the accident to realize the miriacle it is that the driver and teacher aide survived. Both are in the hospital still, but alive and expected to fully recover!
Thank you for all the concerned phone calls we received checking on the girls. Friends and family are definatly another Miracle that we have!

Much to be grateful for on the rollercoaster!

As I sat here realizing that I have once again missed opportunities to recognize miracles in my life I received this e-mail. It may be long, but it says it all.
I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .


FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.


FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE


FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

Today

Today was a miracle. The entire day. Michael got married. What mixed feelings that brings. He is the youngest of our children. It was strange to sit there and realize that he is no longer my little boy. When did he grow up. I thought I had let go of him when he went to Iraq. But this is different. I felt this way when each of our daughters got married. I had to let go and entrust them to some one else. It is not easy, but this is the way it is meant to be. Be happy Bekka and Michael!

Missed again.

I am not very good at posting here, I will try to do better. It seems that daily the miracles I see evolve around my grandchildren.. I just returned from spending a couple of days with Tawny Nick, and the king of the house Cooper. Even though we don't see him very often, he ran right up and gave me a hug. That is the miracle I am grateful for tonight. What a precious boy he is. I am still smiling from his hugs.

Yes, it is still today

As I sat here at my computer "surfing"-(boy does that mean something different than it did when we lived in California!) I found my miracle. Well, maybe not mine, but one that I can share in. The miracle of words and how they lift my soul. Of love that never faileth. Copy and paste this link to your browser to go to another blog, and you will see what I mean. This blog is maintained by the sister of a woman severly injured in a plane crash in August. Her words are beautiful, and her love for her sister warms my soul. Enjoy.
http://blog.cjanerun.com/