What if today was your last day?

Last June, I sat on my couch, seven months pregnant with Baby B, checking facebook. I started seeing status updates from some of my friends from high school. {names have been changed}

Praying for the H family!

So so so so so sad for the H family!

Please keep Chris H and his family in your prayers.

What in the world is going on, I thought? So I emailed one of my friends with some knowledge of the situation. What I heard rocked my world forever.

That morning my friend Chris's wife and his two children were on their way to pick blueberries. They never made it. There was a terrible car accident involving a motorcycle and a dump truck and their minivan. The two children, a little boy age 5 and a little girl age 3, were both killed. His wife was in critical condition with very serious injuries.

Both his children were killed.

His wife endured many surguries and endless hours of physical therapy. I can't even begin to imagine the emotional healing that they are both enduring. I have kept up with them through her Caring Bridge web site, and I have never known anyone with as much faith in God as these two people. They are heartbroken beyond belief, but they believe that their children are playing games with Jesus in heaven, and that they will see them again.

When Mr. Rose came home that night, I told him with tears in my eyes what happened. He had never met Chris and his family, but I could instantly see pain in his face. He didn't have to say a word. The next morning when I asked him how he slept, he said, "I didn't. I couldn't get your friends out of my mind." And I know he meant that he couldn't get the possibility of being in Chris's shoes out of his mind.

One of the things that Chris and his wife want to scream from the rooftops, is to enjoy every single moment that we have with our children. In the times when Miss H is having a temper tantrum or Baby B is fussy and won't sleep, I try to remember how much Chris and his wife would give to be dealing with a toddler's terrible twos or a fussy baby. In the times when I am fighting with Miss H over two more bites of dinner, I try to think about the possibility that this could be the last day that I have with her. Would I really want to have this argument be the last memory I have of her or she has of me? Is two more bites really worth the battle?

So friends, cherish every moment. Every. Moment. With your kids, with your spouse, with your sister or brother, with your parents, with your grandparents, with whomever is dear to you. We never know what tomorrow will bring.

And for the record, Chris and his wife? They are expecting a baby this fall. To God be the glory!

What do you have to pour your heart out about? Head over to Shell's blog to link up!

 

Erin