There is nothing as sweet as being comforted by a 3 year old. It's no secret. I'm sad. My life is changing and things are unbelievably hard right now. I'm angry and I'm confused and I'm just plain sad.
Saturday afternoon, I was alone in my room. Mike was at work and Riley was napping. I laid down in my bed and just cried. I cried until my pillow was soaked. After a while, I looked up and there stood my sweet little girl. So innocent. Her eyes still heavy from her nap.
"Mommy, why are you sad?" she asked. "Mommy is just having a bad day," I replied.
That's when she did it. "Look," she said, pointing to the window. "Look, Mom. Look how bright the sun is shining through. There is no time to be sad, Mom. It will be dark soon," She then grabbed my hand. "We need to go out and play."
Logically, I know that in her 3-year old mind, she was literally talking about that day. "Mom, get your hiney out of bed and take me outside to play before it gets dark."
Her words were so profound and exactly what I needed to hear. There is no need to be sad over things you cannot change. Rejoice in the good things and go out and play in the sunshine while you still have the chance.
With that, I give you the last picture my family took together. It was last Thanksgiving and it was an amazing day...the last time when we were all together. So, on the advice of a wise 3-year old, this is how I choose to remember my family, not as we are today.
I can't promise that I'll always be positive, but I can promise that I'll try.
