Since the last posting of my blog, there has been a lot going on in my life. I know, most of you could probably say that, right? But every time I think I have a post settled in my head, something else happens and I need to revise my thoughts....

But when one of my online friends became a widow on Christmas day, I had my subject. So, settle in for a minute and let's talk about something we all need to remember, alright?

We all start out when we're kids, thinking that time moves slowly. Remember when you were little, thinking that Christmas would never come? Thinking that it was almost forever till your birthday? We would tell other people "I'm four and a half" or "I'm almost seven." We would dream of the day we'd be all grown up, and think about all the neat things we'd get to do and be. Remember wanting to be a cowboy or a ballerina? Remember the wonder of your very first puppy, your first big snow day, or your very first time at the ocean? We were amazed, astounded, joyful and excited over each new wonder God sent into our lives....

Then we started growing up. We learned how to drive, we left home for college or our first real job, we started to date, we took on the responsibilities of an adult in our busy society. We married, we had our children, we moved up in our profession. And we started to miss the wonders of our everyday lives. We got busy.

So stop. Take a long breath, and relax, just for a moment. And look around you for a moment, please?

We are all brought into this world for such a short time, dear ones. We are given a finite time to live, to learn what we need to know, to love the family and friends that God has put in our path. We may live for five years, or fifty-five, or one hundred and five, but in comparison to the eternity that waits on us, it's just a moment until we walk through the door into our future with God and leave behind our earthly lives forever....

I have left behind several people that I love, or rather they have gone beyond where I can see them. My choir director who left this world when his aircraft went down, my husband who died in my arms, my mother who passed on less than a month ago, all of them are gone where I cannot reach them. But someday I hope to stand with them again, to hold and be held, to know that love never dies and that we will love for eternity. There are some days I don't think about it much, but sometimes I ache with longing for the sound of a voice, for the touch of a hand that is beyond my reach.

So, dear ones, all that was said to remind you of this. Love NOW. Spend your time with your loved ones, your mate, your children, your parents, your siblings, your friends. Do it now, whatever you can do to let them know you love them, even the smallest things count. Give your husband a hug, take a walk with your kids and look for interesting things to see, go out for coffee with your best buddy. Thank people for the loving things they do, and find loving things to do for others. Time is short, beloved. Love the ones that God has placed in your path. This is your chance.

We only have now. Just one time only. And there are people who are waiting to be loved.

Darcy