Seize The Day

About two hours ago, I learned that my grandmother had a stroke earlier this afternoon. Throughout her life, she has been relatively healthy regardless of her terrible smoking habit that she has had for the majority of her life. I don't know much of what's going on at the moment, all I know is that she's in intensive care in a hospital in Manhattan, KS.

I have a goal of writing about the people that I have in my life that have influenced me and taught me valuable life lessons. I find it sad at this moment that the one lesson that I associate with my grandmother is "seize the day". Throughout my life, I didn't get to see my grandmother and grandfather very often because they lived in Kansas. I would see them once and maybe even twice a year when I was growing up. My mom would always tell me to take advantage of the time I had with them because visits didn't come often. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to visit her just a few weeks ago. I hadn't seen her in two years. My mom and I flew to Kansas and surprised her with a visit. She was so excited :) It was a precious time that I will cherish forever in my heart.

I am so thankful to have a grandmother like her. She would do anything for me and loves me unconditionally. I cherish every moment I have had with her and hope that I get to have more. Seize the day- cherish every day with your loved ones because you don't know if it will be your last day with them. Seize the day- live like you have purpose and strive to accomplish what we were created to do.

"You may delay, but time will not" - Benjamin Franklin

Friendship

Lately, I've been finding myself thinking about the people that I have in my life that have encouraged me and helped mold me into who I am today. There are many people that have come in and out of my life that I consider truly special because they have taught me many things about life whether they know it or not. Whenever I am able, I plan on writing about each of these special people and reflecting on the lessons each one has taught me. Because of how hectic life can be, I am unable to speak to many of them very often, so hopefully through these postings, they will know that I still think about them and love them dearly.

"Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble" Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

Time with Ansley

I love when I get to spend time with my niece Ansley:) Even though Scott and I live an hour away, we only get a chance to see her maybe once every six weeks or so. Our lives are busy and so are Allen and Andrea's, therefore time spent with family is precious. I had the opportunity to see her this past weekend while we were at Scott's parent's house for a visit. She has grown so much in the past few weeks! She is all over the place - crawling and somewhat walking. She is babbling and shrieking when she wants your attention:) It's been fun to watch her grow thus far and look forward to seeing her reach many milestones.

Footprints...

When I was in high school, someone dear to me gave me a poem to read when I was going through a rough time in life. This little passage is to remind us of how God loves us and carries us through these trials. Many people are familiar with this poem and it has been a comfort to them. I still keep it in my wallet and carry it around with me to this day to remind me of the love that the Lord has for us and how He carries through the toughest times in life.

Footprints
"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. Each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.
The Lord replied, " My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Why?

Sometimes this is a question we often ask when we don't understand... We try to wrap our minds around something and because of who and what we are, we can't fully grasp it. Even though I know that when God chooses to take us, He is taking us home- to a place where we don't have to ask why because we are complete and basking in God's presence. Knowing this truth still doesn't ease the pain of when you lose a loved one. Last Friday, my heart broke as I learned that a special young girl passed away. Hallee, one of the two precious girls that I nannied for in college, died at Vanderbilt from complications to the flu. The flu. I have gotten the flu so many times in my life... but it never resulted in death.
When you nanny for a family, you grow close to the children- you love and care for them as if they were your own. I sit here and mourn, but I can't help but think about Hallee's parents and sister. I pray that God will heal their hearts and comfort them as they too try and wrap their minds around Hallee's death. I can't imagine being a parent and having to plan a funeral for a child. Unimaginable.
Losing loved ones will never be easy, but maybe if we ask - God will continue to teach us about Himself and His timing in life. I will miss you sweet Hallee.