Cherish Those in Your Life

One year ago today, my mom and I arrived in Iowa to visit family.  I hadn't been back to see family in twenty years.  We had great visits, although our time together was short.  We had a family gathering one afternoon with many of my mom's aunts, uncles, cousins, and their kids.  As I looked around the room, I thought of all who were not there, who had passed away, including my Gram.  I cherished the memory of every face as I took in each one, young or old, and wondered how long it would be before I would see them again.  Since I didn't know when I would be back to Iowa, I also wondered how many I would not see again, at least on this side of life. 


In the past year, three of those precious faces are no longer on this earth.  Two uncles, and one aunt have passed away, two of them just in the past three days.  They are all from my Gram's side of the family, one sister, one brother, and one brother in law.  The past three days contain a lot of grief for my family to process.  All of them lived wonderful lives, filled with loving family members, but they will be missed.  My prayers and thoughts are with my family in Iowa and Minnesota as they process the sadness, and celebrate the lives of two wonderful people this week.  


Life is precious and short.  Even if we live to be old, life is short.  Don't let a day go by without loving on your family, those who are important to you.  Speak words of love to them, as well.  Live each day without regrets, with nothing good left unsaid as far as love and appreciation to your family and close friends.  Don't hold grudges or keep records of wrong that have been done to you, but be kind and loving, offering forgiveness when needed, as well as saying you are sorry when needed.  Live each day intentionally.  Live each day as if it's your last and leave a loving, wonderful legacy.  Each day we are given is a gift, so live your life on purpose, don't waste your life or your time.  


If you spend more time on facebook, texting, on other social media, or watching television, than you do with people, you aren't living a legacy that others will remember.  Times that matter are times when we actually are with people, face to face, or actually speaking to them over the phone, not texting or messaging.  I text, facebook, and message, but nothing compares to face to face, or voice to voice interaction with others.  It seems actual, real life conversation is becoming a lost art in our society.  Invest your time in people and with God.  Live your life to make a difference.  Cherish those that have been placed in your life and don't take one moment of life for granted.  The book of James says life is like a mist, a vapor. I don't know if you have watched how long mists and vapors last, but it's not long, so don't waste what you are given.  Be a gift to those around you, and cherish your times together.  Intentionally make memories with your loved ones, laugh with one another, talk, play games, go outside and enjoy creation.  You won't regret a life lived to make a difference, a life lived intentionally, a life lived on purpose, as you love those around you!