Life is short.
It’s a thought that’s surfaced many times in the past few weeks. The older I get, the reality of that statement hits closer to home.
When I lost my dad many years ago, the one thing I regretted was that I never got to tell him “I love you” one more time.
All the analyzing and thinking through the details of his last hours here on earth will never change the fact that I didn’t make it to the hospital in time to say my last good-bye.
I’ve made peace with the fact that some things are just out of our hands and no matter how you may wish for something, there’s just no “do overs”.
I also want to learn from that part of my life.
I want to work towards a life filled with good-byes without regrets.
The fact is, none of us really knows when the last good-bye will ever be.
Day to day life can be both routine and crazy. In the busyness of it all, sometimes I have to stop to remember the precious people that God has put in my life, and to make an effort to let them know how special they are ~ while I still have time to tell them.
I don’t want to one day look back and say, “I wish I would have said…”
Which brings me to a few days ago.
As you know, when a family grows and grows, it becomes more and more difficult to ever find an occasion when every single one of you can get together at the same time and place.
But, miracle of all miracles, it happened!
Work schedules were adjusted, grand kids flew in, road trips were made, and plans were finalized.
For a few precious hours, every single one of my husband’s family was in the same place at the same time. There was laughter and talking, organizing and eating, and walking and relaxing in beautiful Banff, Alberta.
There was a special reason for it, too.
This lady.
My mother-in-law.
It was her heart’s desire that the family all get together.
And each of us moved heaven and earth to make it happen for one reason.
We love her.
As I sat in the car yesterday on the way home, I was pondering her.
She’s a reader of my blog, but confessed that she doesn’t get to it as often these days. Instead, she spends lots of time researching cancer treatments. Cancer is the beast she’s fighting these days.
She’s approaching it with the same spunk and fervor that she has always approached life.
The future is uncertain, yet she currently enjoys every moment with great spirit, soon embarking on a wonderful journey with her husband and one son.
I first knew each sibling in this family, along with most of their partners, during my college years; I never imagined becoming part of their family, a connection rooted in shared history and stories, for which I feel truly fortunate.
Even with many years ahead, I felt the present moment demanded I write my mother-in-law a letter:
Dearest Mom,
My gratitude to you.
I appreciate you distributing the salad until it vanished, and for mastering the preparation of speed jello.
Thank you for lovingly preparing my boys' favorite dish countless times: Grandma’s perogies with farmer’s sausage, strawberry sauce, and cream gravy.
I am thankful you instructed me on making lasagna, waffle sauce, buns, and for helping me laugh when my initial ham bake failed because the plastic wrap remained on.
You taught us that teamwork allows us to manage any task, no matter how difficult, and to 'finish it swiftly'!
Above all else, I thank you for raising the man who became my husband; thank you for nurturing, educating, and guiding him toward Jesus, showing him that chores like dishes, dinner prep, and garbage removal are not solely for women.
I appreciate you showing us that even after many years of marriage, a kiss in the kitchen remains important.
Moreover, your immense love for your son led you to embrace me as your daughter-in-law and welcome me into the family.
Mom, your presence enriches my life considerably; you embody the lesson you shared—that during life's hardships, clinging to Jesus is essential.
Without conducting a survey or calling a family gathering, I confidently declare that you are deeply cherished ~
By every one of us.
