"Don't Wait to Live Your Life"

A struggle I always have is how to spend my time. There are SO many things to do...some we HAVE to do, some we CHOOSE to do. I don't always budget my time correctly. I have a difficult time doing things that should be done (i.e. housework) if there is something that I could be doing with my children.

I have very strong feelings about taking any time away from my children, especially if it is for myself. The other struggle is making that time that I do devote to my family quality time. Life is too shore to not make the most of the time we have been given.

Our families have experienced two huge trials that reminded us of our mortality and limited time with each other. 4 1/2 years ago, my nephew, Layton, went from having an ear infection to life support at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with the diagnosis of leukemia.

Layton battled for months with chemotherapy and would healing complications. My sister and brother-in-law were across the state of Tennessee form each other. My older nephew Kamden remained at home with Travis while Amanda stayed in Memphis with Layton. Their family struggled with fears, separation, and trials of all sorts.  Today, Layton has been deemed "cured"!

On May 25, 2007, Josh's sister went in for an emergency c-section. Her twin daughters were suffering from twin to twin transfusion where one was getting all of the nutrients and the other one not. Elizabeth was also suffering from eclampsia and was becoming dangerously more ill.

So, months before they were due, Reagan Elizabeth (2lbs 10oz) and Erynn Lee (1lb 10oz) entered the world. Both beautiful girls battled many complications and overcame many trials. Eventually, they were both at home with their big brother, Austin. Those two precious girls were living miracles.

On Friday morning, November 20, 2009, I received a frantic call from Elizabeth. She was at the hospital with Erynn who was having uncontrollable seizures and needed me to come get Reagan. I also needed to take her to the pediatrician's office for an appointment. Both of the girls were sick with respiratory infections.
I felt like the world was spinning out of control as our lives were suddenly frozen in time. I cannot imagine how Elizabeth was feeling or how her husband felt when she called.

As I sat in that doctor's office holding that beautiful girl, plans were being made to have her twin sister air lifted to a larger hospital 40 minutes away. Her dad flew with her (he is a paramedic) and Liz drove by herself to meet them at the hospital. And during all of this, I began the process to admit Reagan to the hospital here in town for bilateral pneumonia.

Things happened so fast yet in slow motion. On Monday, November 23, 2009, Erynn Lee left her earthly home to be with her grandfather in her Heavenly home. She was such a miracle and blessed all of our lives. We all learned much from her about the pure joy and love of life and unconditionally loving those around us. She touched so many lives and still does today.

Two and a half years may seem long, but in the life of a child, a child's age, it is so short. This was a very painful reminder that our children are on loan. We only hold them but for a moment, whereas God hods them for eternity. O how we should make every moment count. O how we should thank God every moment of every day for the time that He gives us with each other.

When I heard the new song by Skillet, "One Day Too Late", I felt that those were my emotions. someone had taken my feelings and put them into song. They communicated the importance of valuing life and the time that we have been given.

"One Day Too Late"
Tick tock, hear the clock count down
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late?

Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness, I guess, I just forget
To do all the things I said

Time passes by, never thought I'd wind up
One step behind, now I've made my mind up

Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it

Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late, one day too late

Tick tock, hear my life pass by
I can't erase and I can't rewind
Of all the things I regret the most I do
Wish I'd spent more time with you

Here's my chance for anew beginning
I saved the best for a better ending
In the end I'll make it up to you
You'll see, you'll get the very best of me

Time passes by, never thought I'd wind up
One step behind, now I've made my mind up

Today I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it

Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late

Your time is running out
You're never gonna get it back
So make the most of every moment
Stop saving the best for last.

Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it

Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make the world a better place
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late

One day too late, one day too late
One day too late, one day too late

So make every minute count. Cherish your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Hug your children. Spend quality time with them. Never take your time for granted!