Slow Down and Savor the Joys ~ You never know when...

How many of us really know what the next 10 - 5 years or even one year will be like, let alone next week or even tomorrow? Life can change in a blink of an eye. Like the lives of our next door neighbors and dear friends. Connie told us Christmas Eve Day, the doctors gave Rob only 2 weeks to 3 months to live with his newly found brain tumor, when we ran into them at the local market. We stood in the grocery store holding on to each other as tears streamed down all of our faces. She said, "Here we are shopping, it all seems so surreal..."

Sunday, I was listening to a Christian program, The Spoken Word, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The message was poignant with all  that has been happening lately. They interwove their beautiful music around the the words of Lloyd Newell, scriptures and with a poem by David L Weatherford.

SLOWDANCE

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,

or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,

or gazed at the sun fading into the night?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly,

when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,

with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,

and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,

'cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,

you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

it's like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn't a race, so take it slower,

hear the music before your song is over.

David L.Weatherford

This message rings true to my heart. Our son, his wife and five sweet grandchildren have been staying with us for a week.

Last Sunday while attending their church meetings they received word her father had suffered a massive heart attack and died just after he too,  had arrived at church. Their family hurried home to quickly pack and our son headed to his office to arrange the necessary therapy programs for his patients for the upcoming week.

Then they had a long 5 hour drive, before our daughter in law could be with her mom and siblings. I remember the long drive I endured after hearing my own dad had passed away and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for her and it wasn't.

She was her daddy's little girl and always will be. They had an extraordinarily special relationship.
 Her dad's funeral was this past Saturday. It was beautifully done and the sweet spirit of the Savior was felt by all in attendance.
 I love the comfort and peace Heavenly Father sends to us when we need it the most. Our dil is the youngest of 10 children who were all there with their families. They have 34 grandchildren and many great grandchildren which filled the chapel.  Our love and sympathy goes out to all of his family.

After the family had family prayer in a private room and the casket was closed, the audience rose in respect for the family as they followed behind grandpa Jay’s casket into the chapel.
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My heart lurched ...when we saw our sweet, little five year old Caden enter helping the mortician  push his grandpa Jay's casket, while holding his grandma Jamar’s hand and pulling her along!  She looked at me a winked as she tried to keep up with him. :*) 

I wish I could have taken a picture of this priceless moment as he was taking care of both of his grandparents whom he loved,  with all of his five year old heart.  It was sweet tender moment I will never forget.

Grandpa Jay had danced a beautiful song, for he was one who listened to the music and made cherished memories for his family. He was a man of few words with an incredibly large spirit,  and full of integrity. He was tender, loving and lived a wonderful and honorable life. He and his wife recently served a service mission together to the less fortunate.
Even though the circumstances were not what we expected or wanted, we sure enjoyed having our son's precious family with us for a whole week.

Sweet and happy little Archie

 is growing so fast, it was good to spend the time with him.  He is so soft, kissable, all smiles and talks all the time. What a joy he is!
The kids were so good, delightful and easily entertained as as they spent hours played with  blocks.

 

They enjoyed playing with cousins and doing their magic handshake when they said goodbye.

They played lots of games.  We watched Tom and Jerry and we went to a movie and saw
"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!"  It wasn't grandpa B's favorite though! LOL

I loved finding Eliza reading little 4 month old Archie a story. He was talking right back as if he understood everything.:*)

I was most impressed with our grandchildren’s knowledge of what happens after death and grateful for their parents who have taught them well. It sure made this a better and more peaceful experience for them.

Again, it our little Caden who told us, “Grandpa’s body isn’t sleeping, he died and his spirit is in heaven with Jesus” as he pointed to the sky. He said, “When the resurrection comes, grandpa will be able to walk again! It really is okay, because we are a forever family!” He believed every word he was saying. Out of the mouth of babes. I thought ‘resurrection’ was a such big word for a little guy who had just turned 5 in November.

Our friends Rob and Connie left just after Christmas to visit his parents in San Diego for three weeks.
They and their seven children and families  also went to  play and spend time together at Sea World and Disneyland. They are building lasting memories with their family with the time Rob has left.

This past month has made me realize time IS short and we need to spend time where it really counts. Many say if they could live their lives over, they would spend it building cherished memories with those they love, building people up instead of tearing them down,  and being of service and doing good to those in need.

I hope I will dance a little slower, enjoy the music and savor the simple joys of each day. I have missed you.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your get well messages. It wasn’t just my ‘tushy’ that has been smarting, although it is doing sooo much better!:-)

Please Slow down, Enjoy today and take time to Listen to the music.
 Remember to Savor even the simple joys of life!
~♥~