The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

Last night I found out today was going to be “The Best Day of My Life!”  Kim, from Today’s Creative Blog is featuring me, my blog and my bags!  It is such an honor to me because I really respect Kim and her abilities.  She is smart, savvy and has an incredible blog.  And She picked Me!!  Okay, so I might be a little more than thrilled. 🙂

And she featured my bags.  Which, although they aren’t listed yet, all these bags are finished and ready to ship.  Just e-mail me or leave a comment.  They are $65 plus $5 shipping.
If you are here visiting from Today’s Creative Blog, Welcome!!  I’m so happy to have you.  I hope you’ll stay a while and have a look around.
So, that’s the best of times part.  The worst of times happened on Saturday.  I got a text message from a friend letting me know that our sweet neighbor boy had passed away only an hour before.  It was stunning.  The day before he had been out playing on his bike with his sister.  It was unexpected and heart breaking.  Nate had special needs.  He could talk, but his words were limited.  He had a larger than life personality.  He loved to tease and play.  Because of his special needs, he was a teacher.  He taught all of us to look beyond the outside and see what was in someones heart.  His death has left a huge gaping hole in all our hearts.  And especially in that of his dear family who are the most amazing people you will ever meet.  They shared Nate with us in this life, and they are allowing all of us to share in his story now. 
As a mother, your greatest fear is losing one of your children.  Nate is the same age as my oldest.  And the fact that one day he was playing and the next he was gone, terrifies me to my core.  None of us know how much time we will have here on this Earth.  I am learning to not take any one of them for granted.
Nate didn’t have much of an appetite for lunch or dinner on Friday.  In the evening his tummy was hard and distended.  Fearing a blockage, his parents took him to the Insta-care facility.  When they got there they were told it was serious and he was sent by ambulance to the regional children’s hospital.  During the ambulance ride his condition became critical.  The pressure in his abdomen caused him to stop breathing a couple of times.  Emergency surgery was needed, but even if he survived the surgery his outlook was not good.  By noon on Saturday, he had passed away.
Even in his death, Nate is teaching us.  He is encouraging us to be better.  To strive to keep the commandments and to live worthy to meet him again in Heaven.  Thank you, Nate.  We love you and will deeply miss you.
Take advantage of today.  Make it the “Best Day of your Life” (even if you’re not featured on Kim’s blog. 😉 )  Don’t let “I love you” go unsaid, a sad child left un-hugged, a smile left undone.  Take care of today and treasure it.  Because you just don’t know if you will get a tomorrow.
Happy Memorial Day!  To all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, Thank You!  To their families and loved ones- your sacrifice is not in vain, or forgotten.
xoxo,
Amy