Do I Get A Second Chance?

Happy Birthday, Rachel. 

28 years ago today, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  We were overjoyed, she was everything we could hope for and so much more.  All the fears of the previous months, worrying about being good parents, would everything be okay, all disappeared with one look into our baby's face.  Would I do it all again, even knowing what the outcome would be?  Yes, yes, yes and again yes.  I would not trade a minute of knowing my daughter. 

We are not often given second chances in life, so we need to make it work the first time around.  Will we make mistakes, will we have regrets, will we wish we could take back what we said?  Most definitely, it is unfortunately a part of who we are as humans, and maybe hopefully we learn from our trials.  

Yesterday, I could not help but smile as I listened to a young mother talk about the joys of spending time with her family.  Her eyes sparkled as she shared how they truly enjoyed each others company, without the worries of day to day, while on vacation.  Life is full of these special times. when we fully appreciate the gifts of: our spouses, parents, children, brothers, or any other important people in our lives.  When life throws us a curve ball, it is these moments that help us move forward.  

It is these moments that serve as a subtle reminder that we need to enjoy every minute.  If you have had a loved one who has died, you understand this better than anyone.  You realize that life is fleeting, and each day should be lived to its fullest.  It does not mean living immorally, but rather living each moment as if it were our last.  I have a friend whose life is currently been turned upside down,  they are dealing with a disabling illness of a loved one and have had to adjust their schedules to accommodate for this unexpected event.  

Their are no rules in life, it has its own agenda, and definitely sneaks up on us when we least expected.  But is it worth living, yes most assuredly, there is not a day that goes by that I am not grateful for everything that has happened in my life.  Even the tragic has helped me to grow, to look at life from every angle, and to let me know that I can survive, that my faith will strengthen me and keep me going.  

It is not easy, and some days are definitely harder than others.  But we pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and face yet another day with conviction, knowing that we will be okay.  Our skin may be a little tougher, and the hurting may be less acute, we may be able to keep our emotions in check, or not; but the bottom line is that we keep on going.  

Life is to be lived, to be enjoyed, and we need the make it remarkable, and we need to live it every day as if this day is the only chance we have got to make it good.  

Blessings! and until we meet again.