What I Miss Today

Anyone who's ever lost a loved one knows that what you miss differs from day to day and that place in your heart that was broken when they died is never really repaired. My parents died 22 years ago. Today I miss them because they would have been the keepers of the best stories about my childhood. They had a better capacity than I to put those moments away and cherish them.

No Thanks Mom.

I am amazed by how simple life could be, if only we were all toddlers. My son was eating dinner last night. He decided to try some turkey. He didn't like it. He spit it out in my hand. Done and done. No need to complain about the taste, no need to later say, "Can you believe what mommy served for dinner? What was she thinking?"

Of course, I don't especially like holding my son's half-chewed dinner in my hand, but I can appreciate his sentiment.

Giving

My heart tugged a little as I walked past two young men on the street. My son was cranky, so while we waited for our food at a nearby restaurant, we had taken a walk outside. I was reminded that just as I held my little boy in my arms, their mothers had done the same, and how my heart would break if my son was ever in the same situation. I had no money to give them, so I just smiled as I walked past.

After dinner, I came out of the restaurant stuffed to the gills carrying a box of leftover food. I saw one of the young men digging through the garbage across the street. I immediately knew I couldn't possibly bring extra food home when he was unable to get a decent meal. As I gave him the styrofoam box I felt humbled that God had allowed me to serve in this way. Such a simple thing, not even a sacrifice, yet He used me for good.