It seems the older I get, the more I appreciate the family that surrounds me. They have been the ones through all the years of my life that have been there.....through the good times and the bad. Lately I have been working on a project that depicts my family. It's been an interesting process.
What I realized after embarking on this, that it wasn't just about me. I in fact play a very small part of a much larger group. I was going through drawers, boxes, and albums in an effort to record every aspect of my life as I could. My last surviving aunt has been sending me pictures of family I never knew. I have even started communicating with a cousin in Scotland, who has spent that past 15 years researching and documenting the family genealogy! Low and behold, it dawned on me that without great-grandparents, parents, children, extended family, friends......I would not have even made a blip in the universe.
What was brought to the forefront of my mind, is that without others we are nothing. The interactions of our lives is what makes a life worth living. I have scanned nearly 1,000 pictures over the past few weeks and as I looked at each one, the remembrance of that moment was crystal clear. The reality hit that had that other person not been there, neither would I.
In today's world I think we often think "oh, I'll do it tomorrow"....when in fact there may not be a tomorrow. And, as I watch world events unfold in front of me on television, I am reminded even more how important it is to treasure today--every moment of it. To not take for granted the moments we have with the ones we love. And, so I continue in my quest, to learn more about my family, to love those who are here now, and to pray for those of the future.
My advice.....go tell your family how much you love and appreciate them...and give each one a hug....today is the day that counts.
Wow! Sage advice from a woman with a big heart. Beautiful & profound post Cyn. Enjoyed the photos, what a beautiful family you have. You're so blessed.
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