Wednesday, April 7, 2010

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

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a heart-breaking and fabulous post! Heart-breaking because, like your husband, we can easily imagine, "what if?" Fabulous because you are right about living each moment as if it could be our last. Thank you.
Stopped by from roll call at SITS.

Erin Lane said...

Wow. What a way to start the morning. I am now in tears.

It's true though. We all just need to stop occasionally and remember to appreciate all that we've been given.

Thanks for the reminder today. :)
I needed it.

Kmama said...

oh wow. Everyone is making me cry today. *sigh* What a sad, sad story. But your message is so true.

Steph said...

Visiting from Pour Your Heart Out...

This post made me cry...what heartbreak (not even a strong enough word) for your friends and how wonderful that they are now expecting a new baby!

Often it takes an event to show a lot of people that life is too short. For me losing my dad at 22, changed me life in so many ways. I treasure each moment and have always been aware that it could be the last.

Thank you for posting this!

xoxox

Tiffany said...

Thank you for so much for reminding me that the stupid small problems with the kids don't really matter. What matters is that their lives are precious and I should not take them for granted.
I am in tears now and my heart breaks for how hard it must have been for your friends. God does give grace I am so glad he is blessing them with another child.
Prayers to your friends.

Anonymous said...

Oh man, how heartbreaking! I cannot even imagine the pain and sorrow they are going through. What amazing people to have such faith during this horrible trial. So happy to hear that they are expecting a baby. Thanks for the reminder of how precious life is. We need to make every moment count. :)

Christy said...

oh...your story moved me to tears. That is so true though. I don't know what I would do without my babies. That is my biggest fear in the world.

I am so happy that the family is expecting again. Thank you for sharing their story and reminding me just how precious my two are.

BNM said...

that brought tears to my eyes, it makes you realize how precious & short life is! thanks for sharing.. now im going to give my toddler a big hug!

Sassy Salsa girl said...

That is heartbreaking. And a good reminder. =/

Shell said...

Crying here.

It's so true that we don't know how much time that we have left. It really could be at any moment at all.

Your friends sound like beautiful people with an amazing faith. Congrats to them on their new little one!

Thanks for linking up!

Unknown said...

a very moving post and a beautiful sentiment. thank you for the heartfelt reminder!

Unknown said...

wow, oh my goodness this made me cry. I will say a prayer for this family

Messy Mommy said...

How tragic! Can you imagine waking up from surgery and being told that your children were dead? Oh my heart.

My friend has a friend who lost his two children AND his wife in a house fire! I can't imagine that kind of pain!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Thanks for sharing this story...What an inspiring family...Enjoyed my visit to your blog tonight

http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/

http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Wow. Just.wow.

I followed you over from SITS and I am so glad I did.

This story is tragically powerful. The family's faith, their solid knowledge that their children are with Jesus, and the beautiful gift of a baby coming this fall. To God be the glory INDEED!

Erin Lane said...

I am giving you some love and telling you that you have a BEAUTIFUL BLOG :). I've given you a shout out on my site.

Mrs. Love said...

Thank you....Seize the Day! I so needed to be reminded....enjoy every second, as soon they will be gone. :)

Laurel said...

That absolutely gave me chills.

I'm so glad they're expecting.

Cheryl said...

*sniff* What an important post, Erin. Thanks for sharing it with us.