"Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present."~Babatunde Olatunji
One of the most important lessons I learned from my sweet son, Jacob is to
CELEBRATE LIFE.
Throughout his illness and death,
I learned that each day is truly a gift . . .
a treasure to cherish and enjoy.
I have to try to live for today and make the most of it . . .
because the present is brief and the days go by quickly.
But some days I forget . . .
and I get swallowed up in the grief from my past.
Or I let the stress and worries of tomorrow push their way into today.
It is so easy to let the past & future steal our present.
And unfortunately, they just don't steal our present - but also our
JOY & PEACE.
I don't like it one bit when that happens . . . but sometimes it does!
"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so."
~Mary Jean Iron
I have such a deep appreciation for the time I spend with my children.
They grow up so fast . . .
and I have learned how important it is to live in the present -
to embrace each day, no matter what it brings.
I don't want to waste my days dwelling on the past or worrying about tomorrow.
I want to live in the present,
soaking up their childhood,
their joy,
their silliness,
their hugs and kisses,
their laughter and jokes,
their energy and enthusiasm,
their innocense and excitement,
their wonder & curiosity,
their smell and the way they feel in my arms,
their trust, their dreams,
but most of all their LOVE.
I want to celebrate LIFE . . .
the good days and the bad -
because I know that time with my children is not guaranteed
and it goes by way too fast.
But it is the best gift I've ever received.
And I don't want to take it for granted.
Lord, help me celebrate my gift of LIFE everyday. Help me realize that my days are fleeting and time is precious. Help me enjoy each moment and trust in you, always.
And I don't want to take it for granted.
Lord, help me celebrate my gift of LIFE everyday. Help me realize that my days are fleeting and time is precious. Help me enjoy each moment and trust in you, always.
Ending with a scripture . . .
"His life doesn't last any longer than a breath. His days are like a shadow that quickly disappears."
Psalm 144:4
Celebrating life,
"His life doesn't last any longer than a breath. His days are like a shadow that quickly disappears."
Psalm 144:4
Celebrating life,
25 comments:
Once again, your post is beautiful and inspiring. So are your pictures - the kids are gorgeous! I absolutely love the prayer from Mary Jean Iron. Could you let me know where that came from - does she have a book? Thanks again for sharing...
Andrea
Hi! Thank you so much for this post! I keep looking nine months or so into the future (my hubby will be home from Iraq) and not fully living in the present. As much as I look forward to him coming home, presently, I need to focus on enjoying the incredible and wonderful moments with C- he's almost 2 1/2 months old! Time really does go by quickly!
I love the pictures and I couldn't help but smile when I saw Jacob's precious smile!
Smile :)
OMG what a beautiful FALL outfit Allie is wearing! THAT BABY GIRL IS TOO PRECIOUS!!! I HAVE GOT TO HAVE THIS OUTFIT!!!!
AS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!!!
Hi! Thank you so much for this post! I keep looking nine months or so into the future (my hubby will be home from Iraq) and not fully living in the present. As much as I look forward to him coming home, presently, I need to focus on enjoying the incredible and wonderful moments with C- he's almost 2 1/2 months old! Time really does go by quickly!
I love the pictures and I couldn't help but smile when I saw Jacob's precious smile!
Smile :)
Thanks for making me stop and enjoy the moment!! Love your pictures!!
michelle
from nebraska
Great post. Love the new pictures. Your children are beautiful!! And you get the best photo's of them.
This post is exactly what your blog has taught me! Reading your story has made me a better mom and wife and makes me live for today!
Thank you and God bless!
Beautiful post. Thank you so much for the reminder. Cancer is teaching me many leasons, most of which I would have never sought to learn on my own, but I am thankful for God's perfect plan.
I am so sorry that you are hurting, but I am also proud of you for continuing to live.
Praying for you and your family.
What a great post! Your words are so true. I know this may sound silly since I have never met you or your family, but whenever I am having a horrible day I always think of your sweet Jacob. That little boy never let anything get him down and always looked so happy. I always think to myself "if Jacob could go through what he did with a smile on his face then I can surely get through this". My problems are never anything near what you and your family have gone through and Jacob has helped me put things in to perspective. I thank you for sharing your story...I believe that Jacob was a gift to many in the sense that I think he has made people better people...or at least he did me. I now cherish every second with my little girl more than I did before because you are right, we are not certain of what may happen. Thank you for your post. It was very up lifting!
As always, LOVE Allie's outfit!
Oh Heather, those are BEAUTIFUL pictures. How very blessed are you! Seeing Aly's pictures makes my heart ache for a girl! I know that if I'm blessed with another boy that will be wonderful as well. :) Your children are just too beautiful!
Every pic of your beautiful daughter is amazing. Love her smile in that first pic. And all 4 of your boys are amazing. Jacob's smile really lifts me up on a down day.
Hallie
Heather ~ I needed to read those words. I am overcome with guilt lately. I don't think I am being as good of a wife and a mother as I can. I am tired. Tired and Tired. I pray the same prayer you wrote. Thanks.
And jokingly I add - if you want me to pay attention to the words you write don't dress Allie in such awesome clothes - she is sssoo cute and her (your) sense of style is terrific.
Peace and Hugs,
Becca
One word for those pictures, Gorgeous! Celebrating life is definitely one thing I learned from Jacob and I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person.
Thank you God for allowing me to know Jacob and for the way you used him to teach me through cyberspace.
Love,
Maureen
Heather I know all to well how fast your children grow up. My children grew up so fast, time seems to have flown by. I cherish all my memories from their childhood. I love the new pictures, and I absolutely love Allie's new outfit. She looks beautiful in everything.
Carmen
Thank you so much for sharing this post Heather. You are so precious to me...
You are so right. It's always good to be reminded. And thanks to Nancy for the pumpkin recipe and sweet comment. I can't wait to make them.
And as usual...beautiful pictures and cute outfit on Allie! :) And I love how Devin has his shirt buttoned all the way. That looks like it fits his personality (neat & tidy). :)
First off, CUTE outfit for Allie. And, I love the group shots. They came out so good.
I too want to soak it all in. It is hard to do in the craziness of life, but you are right, you don't know how long you will have it. You are such a great Mom.
Heather,
Thanks for the message today. My children are older, 16,12,10.. Seems they all have their own thing to be doing... Thank you for the reminder to appreciate each moment.
Jill Pivato
Atlanta, GA
Beautiful post (and pictures). I haven't been able to sign in much but I do check in often. Have a good rest of the week!
Reba
Thank you for reminding us not to take a single breath for granted.
I am sure you have read this before but I saw this and thought of Jacob: http://www.bryansdream.org/modules/Inspirations/The%20Brave%20Little%20Soul.pdf
Thanks for sharing YOUR life with us.
Jen
This whole psalm is so good for all who are overwhelmed. Continuing to pray!
Psalms 102:1-2 (A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.) Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
Prayer Bears
Do you know the most important most blessed thing your children received is you for a mother? How precious you are to not take it for granted. :)Blessings.
heather i love reading your posts you put everything that i think about into words and i love it!!! I think about Jacob a lot I remember when i 1st started reading your journal I was hooked from that moment on. I remember loooking at you pic of the boys on the dinosaur and the christmas picture with them all in the matching jammies. I have told you before but you are awesome.. an awesome mother,wife and an awesome friend. I miss Jacob when im sad or need to smile i go to the jacob site and look at the silly pics of him and how much he went threw and still had a smile on his face. thank you so much for sharing your family with us.
ps and i love her outfit i wish cameron was still little :(
What beautiful words Heather. Sometimes it is very hard to not "celebrate" life when we are remembering the past and what has left but it is a good reminder. Jacob touched so many lives but it is through his spirit you are able to "celebrate" life on most days. Of course it would not be natural not to have those days of wishing and wanting our loved ones back. Every day must be a struggle but "celebrating" is a great thing and your family does it so well.
Wow, this post is perfect example of why I love to read your blog. Thanks for reminding all of us celebrate life and enjoy TODAY!
As always, I love the pictures...your children are so beautiful! And, I LOVE Allie's outfit! Where did you get it???
Have a great day!
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