So Short . . .

I recently came across MaryBeth Chapman's blog, on which she had posted her family's Christmas letter. Their 5-year-old adopted daughter, Maria, was killed last May, and these were just a few of MaryBeth's thoughts that really struck me, and I pray that they stay with me for a very long time . . .

"As I anticipate Christmas 2008, I have many thoughts flying through my heart and head. The last several days, my mind has not been able to stop thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Pregnant and scared, knowing that the baby she was carrying eventually would pay the ultimate price of His life. How would I have lived differently if I knew that my time with Maria was going to be this short? Regretfully, I would have lived much differently. I would have purposely hugged and kissed more. I would have tried to memorize and lock away in my heart certain smells and smiles. I would have colored more and worked less. I would have laughed more and fussed less. Bedtime wouldn’t have become a chore to check off the list of things to get done. Instead it would have been more of an opportunity to listen about the day and offer whatever words were needed. The swimming pool wouldn’t have been too cold to swim in. The flowers in the garden would have all been picked, and definitely more ice cream would have been consumed!"

Such a powerful reminder of how short our time together on earth can be and how each moment should be both seized and enjoyed. That's hard for me to remember sometimes.


http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/marybeth/2008/12/mary-beths-christmas-letter-.html