One Apple, Two Peaches, Three Oranges

Why do we always rush? Why are we always in a hurry? Why are we always so focused on what we have to do next – that we don’t see the importance in what were doing right now?

Last night I was at my local library studying – There was a little girl, about five, and her mother looking at books. The little girl was as happy as could be skipping around, looking at the colorful pages and pop-out books. The mother on the other hand was engrossed in her iphone, texting away. She was constantly telling the little girl that they had to hurry and that daddy was waiting. But the little girl was having a blast, she kept trying to show “mommy” how this book had “one apple, two peaches and three oranges!” on its pages – But the mother was so focused on her phone, and telling the little girl, that “they had to hurry because daddy was waiting” that she missed this simple, but beautiful moment of joy.

How often do we do that ourselves? We look forward to things like summer, Christmas, a certain party or graduating high school or collage, moving out, getting married, etc. There all exciting things, but do you look forward to them so much, that your not enjoying life today only looking forward to tomorrow? - Its sad really, life so fragile – people die everyday – They had plan – They had things they were looking forward too - If you only live life for tomorrow, you will never live at all

I think sometimes it’s hard to appreciate the little things in life – Just like the little girl in the library – She was so excited over the “one apple, two peaches and three oranges” This little girl was filled with such joy, such love for life – But her mother didn’t get the chance to witness that because her attention was on her phone – a little thing – but a memory she can never get back

11 years in the making

This year I received the most amazing Christmas gift ever - it wasn’t new shoes, a fancy gadget or money - This gift took 11 years to make its way into my hands -

The thing I remember most about my grandfather is his laugh - He would tell us stories about his childhood - but he would laugh so hard remembering what happened - that we wouldn’t be able to understand what he was saying haha - He loved us all so much - and we loved him - I’ll never forget feeling like a princess as i danced on his feet - spending time with him was such a gift

I don't remember my grandfather being a man of many words - But the ones he said were meaningful - This Christmas my grandma had each of her six children open up her gift to them - It was a simple envelope - it contain a letter written by my grandfather - a letter - A prayer of Thanksgiving to God - but to me it was a sign of Gods faithfulness and love - when read it aloud it brought the entire room to tears

In this prayer my grandfather thanked God for his loving wife and his six wonderful children, there spouses and there children - He named everyone by name - no one was forgotten or glanced over - My grandfather loved each of one us - he found each one of us spacial in our own way - and he was thankful for what made us, us

I don’t know what he was thinking when he wrote this letter - according to my grandma, he didn’t write letters - So for her to find this one after all these years meant to much to me and my family - a gift 11 years in the making - Thank you Grandpa for all the memories all the lessons and for loving us so much