WE. ARE. HERE.

Last week on an early morning run, I came to an abrupt stop and found myself standing in front of a particular house with uncontrollable tears rolling down my cheeks.  I pass this house pretty often without stopping, but something that day drew me to it.  Maybe it was the fact that I was alone {which is rare} or that it was still dark outside, giving me a sense of privacy.  The house before me was the home that my 27-year-old cousin was last living in before an unknown heart condition unexpectedly took her from us.  From her family and friends.  From her three precious babies that she so fiercely loved.  The house is just a tangible place that I can look at and remember her being there.  Remembering how we played in the backyard with our kids together.  Remembering the unique way she decorated it for her family, as only she could.  Remembering conversations of hopes, dreams, and plans she had for her family.  The loss has nothing to do with the house I was standing in front of, but everything to do with her.

Miranda Shay.

It’s been almost 9 years and IT STILL still feels raw, achy, and unreal.  Losing the only girl cousin {who was actually more like a sister because our moms raised us so closely} that my sister and I had has ROCKED my world.  Especially as a mom.  It’s taught me OH, SO MUCH.

I’m not sure about you, but I need constant reminders to help keep life in perspective.  Life can be tough sometimes. I would never try to deny that.  But WE. ARE. HERE.  And that in itself is a gift.  A gift that could be taken away with no warning, no notice.  Just gone.

My cousin’s death is my DAILY reminder to put life in perspective as a mom…

To remember that our time here is fleeting and that we don’t know what each day holds.  To truly treasure each moment we’re given and to focus on the good in our lives.  Everyone around us will benefit.   

WE. ARE. HERE.

How will you spend this precious time you’ve been given?