Life Is Precious

I lived through Columbine.  A horrific experience that occurred just 10 miles from my home.

I lived through the Aurora movie theater shooting just this last summer.  Also, a mere 10 or 15 miles from my home.

For some reason, neither of these tragedies shook me quite like Sandy Hook did on Friday.  I've asked myself what the difference was.  Could it be that it was the age of the children?  It's possible.  I'll admit, as I saw pictures of students, the terrified and sad expressions on their faces, I could easily imagine that those faces were Skyler's or Savannah's.  As I saw parents, frantically trying to locate their children, I couldn't even fathom what that would be like, but I could imagine it enough that it scared me.  As a former teacher, I empathized with the men and women in that building who no doubt feared for their own lives, and perhaps even more so, the lives of the children they are committed to protecting.

Obviously, there's been so much press, so much exposure on TV, radio and Facebook.  It's tough to take.  I read about how sad, angry and scared people are, how some feel laws need to change, policy needs to change, etc., etc.,  I have my own views about things like gun control, mental health support and policies and practices, however, I won't be sharing those views here on this blog...at least not today.  Something has struck me so much more than any law or policy you could put into place.

Life is precious.

I'd be willing to bet that if you asked the families of the children and adults who died in that school on Friday, they would give absolutely anything to be able to hug and hold tight the person that they lost.  They would tell them how much they loved them.  Over and over and over.

It is important to grieve.  Each person grieves in their own way.  I choose to learn from tragedy.  To gain perspective and be reminded of what truly matters.

Don't waste a single moment.  Hold your loved ones tight.  Tell them you love them...over and over and over.  No law, policy or practice will be able to guarantee any individual's time here on Earth.  Life is short.  Life is precious. Live. Every. Moment.

XOXO

Happy 11th Birthday Skyler!

Skyler.

My first born.

The amount of pride I have for this girl is immense.

To begin, Skyler's got a big heart...a gigantic heart.  I mean ridiculously huge.  She is constantly thinking of others and putting others first.  I love that she has a passion for helping and that she's got such a giving spirit. For instance, Skyler recently donated 11.5 inches of hair to Locks of Love. What a wonderful gift.  Upon seeing the final length of her hair, after it was styled, Skyler felt just a little disappointed knowing that they could have gotten a few more inches of hair for someone who needed it more than her.

Skyler is an extremely hard worker.  Not only at school and at her hobbies, but also at home.  Whether it's dance, choir, jump rope club, the science fair or just plain old homework, Skyler will always give it everything she's got.  She's smart, polite and responsible.  She's incredibly committed and fiercely loyal.  I believe these are qualities that will take her some pretty awesome places in life.  

Yep.  That's my girl...mowing the lawn.  Do note her cross-cutting method.  Very nice.

What I think I may love the best about this girl is her balance in life.  She has a work hard-play hard mentality.  She's got an amazing sense of humor and although she might try to fool you and pretend that she's shy...this girl likes to be the center of attention. And she's not afraid to be a little silly to get it.

Case in point...Remember my sister Jill?  Spidey's girlfriend from our NY Transfer trip last March?  Yeah, she got married a week and a half ago. Well, during the reception, lots and lots of dancing took place.  I'm talking back to back, hands in the air, club like dancing.  Over the course of the evening, several dance circles were formed and who should plop herself right in the middle of said dance circle (um...like 5 times) and show the 100+ guests her best moves?  You guessed it.  She danced for hours...all the while, sporting her 3 inch wedge heels.  (Can you see the tear in my eye?)  3 inch heels.

And today, Skyler turns 11.  

Eleven amazing, fun, intense, full of laughs and smiles years.  

I feel so blessed and so proud to be her mom.

I love you Skyler, more than words could ever say.