Life As I Know It

Life is never guaranteed yet we take for granted that we will live forever, or at least be here long enough to see our children grow and our parents die. What a harrowing experience it has been to have that perspective shattered and to see the frailty of life in my own mortality. Now the storm has passed and the deep fears are subsided but the lessons learned are deeply etched. As was shown in many ways this year there is no time for anger, remorse, or regret; there is only time for celebration, joyful exuberance, and love. I have learned these lessons many times in life, but never have they meant so much or been so clear.

My life is no longer my own. For over four years it has belonged to a wonderfully sweet little blue eyed girl and her mischievous blue eyed father. My thoughts of the future are consumed with my hopes for her and the joy of sharing it with him. The fear of not being there to see her grow has consumed me for months, just as the fear of leaving him behind has devastated my heart. However, now I can breathe. Now I know, though not guaranteed, that I have a better chance of being there to hold their hands through all of their journeys.

This year we celebrate each other. We celebrate a wonderful life full of promise and magic. We celebrate a love that shines through all we do for each other. We celebrate every moment we have together. We celebrate us.