This week I am dedicating my post to a friend. I want to highlight the importance of being in the moment and really appreciating the people you care about.
A friend and colleague recently lost her eight year old son unexpectedly. From the heart-felt stories at his celebration of life services, I learned that Josh was a one-of-a-kind kid, the sweetest, most light-hearted, strong-willed boy you can ever ask for. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree because his mom is an amazing, determined, loving mother who fought for her son to heal since the day he was born. I can’t even begin to imagine the sadness and pain she and her family are facing. My heart is heavy and my spirit dampened as I think of the void they will feel forever. I’ll be sending strength and love their way until that emptiness is filled with beautiful memories of Josh and his short, but highly impactful life.
The services that Josh’s family organized to celebrate his life were breathtaking and uplifting. We will forever remember such a sweet boy and his loving family. During the ceremony, Josh’s dad asked that every person take more time each day to enjoy one another, spend time as a family, embrace each other’s company and live in the moment. Hearing this request from a father who has no more moments with his son was heart-wrenching. Living in the moment is something I work on everyday. My heart breaks and my eyes cloud immediately when even considering living a single moment without my precious son. This father’s request hit me deeply. It’s time that I make every moment count. If not for me, for Josh’s family.
Baby Steps to Embracing the Moments
Here are a few things I’m working on this year to honor Josh’s life, to be present for the moments and embrace the time I have with my own family now. Not tomorrow, but today. I know these are only baby steps to a long journey of transforming how I embrace life going forward. Godspeed Josh.
- Scheduling more time for just being together. No plans. Just us.
- Breathing. Taking a breath to remind me to be present.
- Creating simple meals so there’s less time with Big Bird and more time with me.
- Smelling my little guy more. His hair. His little body. I wish I could bottle it.
- More hugs. I know as my son gets older this will be tough so for now I’m squeezing him as much as possible.
- Taking time during errands to have fun together.
- More mental pictures. If I stop and say to myself “remember this moment forever,” it usually makes me stop and be present.
- A quick phone pic everyday to remember the little things.
How do you live in the moment and embrace the present? What sort of family rituals allow you to soak up every bit of life we have? Tell us in the comments!
P.S. My friend has set-up a foundation to keep her son’s spirit alive. It will be dedicated to helping animals. You can learn more here.