What A Week

The week started with us going to Rockingham, NC, where we stayed all day Sunday, visiting family members of our friend, Norma, who died a week ago today. We attended our former church, surprising most with our appearance, and stayed for the calling hours Sunday night. The line was out to the street! If our son hadn't needed the bathroom, we would have been out there forever! But that is a testament to the type of person Norma was. We traveled back down Monday afternoon for her funeral and burial. It was a very emotional time for us. I sang in the choir, and had a hard time getting through the song we sang. But the most incredible thing happened after the funeral when I met up with Brian and William. William, who is 3 1/2, said to me, "I'm sorry Miss Norma died. It's okay. Your tears will go away." Well, needless to say, I was blown away by the wisdom of a 3 year old. I never knew God could speak through a little child, but He did on Monday. It was as if God opened his little mind for a brief time to realize what happened, and God was able to comfort us all through William. What a boy!
Life went back to our new normal Tuesday, and then Wednesday, my father in law was in a wreck, following too closely and rearending someone. The damage to his car has put it in the shop for a month; the utility truck he hit is fine. So we are driving a little more careful these days. Life is short, and anything can happen at anytime. My father in law walked away with out a scratch, so he was spared any physical harm. The rest of the week went as usual, busy with work, with William, and with doing our part to keep the house clean, the laundry done and the food bought. I made playdough - four batches - for the first time in my life with my children at work, and they loved it. I didn't tell the director I had never made it until it was done! I guess I just wanted to plunge into the unknown and see how it came out! Seems like that is the story of our life right now anyway. So tomorrow we go to Marbles, a place in Raleigh where little ones can play and explore, and we will meet my husband's cousin and her daughter there so she and William can play together. I am looking forward to seeing family we haven't seen in a while.
It is amazing all that life holds in just seven days - one week. In the blink of an eye, a friend can be ripped from your life. God can speak through a small child. Joy can be brought to children through playdough, and bring a sense of pride in the accomplishment. Plans to see family can be made - including the 34th annual Ivey Reunion in Benson, NC (my mother in law is an Ivey) on March 15th - visiting family we have never met!
I say all that to say this - treasure the little things, the little joys, so not to waste time, because it is short.

Love,
Jen