I must say, the ground underneath me seems a bit shakier today.  I wouldn’t call it fear, necessarily, but definitely more aware in each moment of the fragility of life. 

Since the beginning of this year, five couples that I have admired have been temporarily separated by death. Five.  In less than four months.
These are folks, some closer to me than others, that have been a part of my story in one way or another.  Some a piece of my childhood, others still an active and vital part of my adulthood.  
All had the kind of marriages that legends are made of. I find that alone, remarkable.
Every one of these who have left us, literally left this world and stepped into the arms of Jesus.  Each beautiful life was a portrait of a life surrendered to God.  There is no doubt that I will see them again.
One after another I have wept for these beautiful spouses left behind to pick up the pieces, grieve with their children and figure out a new normal.  

Today’s technology allows for interesting glimpses into these stories.  
The jury is still out for me as to whether or not it’s a good thing for all of the heartache to be visible.  On one hand, the family is shown tremendous support as well as being aware of the impact these lives have made.  And I was one of the masses who benefitted from the updates that I wouldn’t have otherwise known.  
On the other hand, I struggle in a deep way with well-meaning condolences that fall short of considerate.  I don’t have the right words–no one does–so at the risk of sounding critical, I just think that if it was me I would want fewer of them.  

But at the end of the day, I look at my husband more tenderly.
I pray for my kids a little longer as they head off to work.  
I decide that raspberry jam crusted on the counter is an annoyance worth having if it means precious life exists in these walls.
I am grateful to know that I know the end of my story and that of my family.  There is such simple beauty in a regular day.  Each one is a gift.

Every day is a journal page
Every man holds a quill and ink
And there’s plenty of room for writing in
All we do is believe and think

So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessings?
Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketching

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
Somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much, life means so much, life means so much

Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So no one’s rich, nobody’s poor
We get twenty-four hours each

So how are you gonna spend
Will you invest or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who’s under

Has anybody lived who knew the value of a life
And don’t you think giving His all will prove the worth of yours and mine?

Every day is a gift you’ve been given
Make the most of the time every minute you’re living
Every day is a gift you’ve been given
Make the most of the time every minute you’re living

Lead us in better ways
Somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much, life means so much, life means so much

Life Means So Much by Chris Rice Click for the song…