One Thousand Gifts

Watching this brought back my childhood and helped me to see my own children's childhoods that are still unraveling. It made me ponder the five and a half years I have had with Gabriel, and the two and a half years I have had with Anna, and how blessed we are to be living this life together. It made me think how lucky Gabe and Anna are to have, let's face it, some pretty cool parents, and how grateful I am to share these miraculous responsibilities with Manny. 

While I get bogged down with the crazy amount of tasks and errands and full schedules, I sometimes forget to live in the small moments that make up our life. I want to stay awake for those moments... Quit living life as an emergency... Still stop and always remember that time when Gabe asked, "When is this tooth going to be loose? All my friends are losing their teeth but I'm not yet." And while I "get" his struggle that he's a little behind on the tooth-losing wagon, I am happy for it. Not only does it mean I still have a "Baby Gaby" (for now), it also means I have a huge opportunity to build his character up... In small steps... So as he grows he can handle the bigger stuff.

I tell him, "Everyone's different, and we all have that something that makes us special. You see that extra tooth in front? It kinda snaggles and looks a little crooked? None of the other kids have that. Maybe your gums just want to hang on to that for a while. Don't worry, you'll catch up. You see Anna's braces? She thinks those are her magic shoes, because she stands up higher and more confidently when she has those on than when she doesn't. Not every kid has braces, but her's make her a little more special. Her feeding tube? That means she never has to taste medicine again! How cool is that? It makes her different, but that difference is called special-ness. And I think you and your teeth are very special."

Sometimes it is easier to recall the the hardest moments than it is the fantastic. But I must remember, that while the world is ugly, it is beautiful. I can slow, I can wake, I can trust, and I can pay attention. I can receive each moment for what it really is that makes up my life (and yours): holy, ordinary, amazing grace, and a gift. All of it is for you.