Every Breath You Take

I sell children's clothing for Nordstrom. Most days I absolutely love my job, and some days..well, it's the best form of birth-control. It's not complex, it's not that difficult, and I meet a lot of really interesting people. On some days, my job is surprising.

This afternoon, a lady whom I would guess to be in her fifties and two children came into my department. Justin was about seven years old and Taylor was probably thirteen. Susan, the older woman with them, was their cousin I later found out. When I walked over to ask them what I could to help them, I was told that they needed to find an outfit for Justin to wear to their father's funeral. I was momentarily stunned, but collected myself quickly. They wanted something nice, but casual. It was a memorial service, they later corrected, and would be a very casual affair. It took much time and effort and thinking on my apartment, but I managed to find the perfect outfit, which he absolutely loved. It was a pair of Lucky jeans and a very cool rocker T-shirt and a black sport coat. Susan informed me that the kids' grandfather had just passed away seven months ago, and Justin wanted to wear the sport coat because his dad had worn a sport coat to his father's funeral just months before. It was all I could do to not break down in tears in the fitting room.

I couldn't stop - can't stop thinking about how calmly these children were handling the memorial service for their father. Their cousin informed me of how he died outside the children's presence, and I learned that they really had no time to prepare for his death. I realized that I literally cannot imagine how I would react if I lost one of my parents. It made me realize, too, how frequently - and selfishly - I take my family and their health for granted. Our life and our time on this earth is so unbelievably precious - and we piss it away like we'll live forever. We go to bed assuming that we'll wake up in the morning, place all our money on next week and not one of us is guaranteed the next hour.

So I go to bed tonight hoping. I hope for tomorrow. I hope for the opportunity to again tell my parents and my brother and sister that I love them. I hope that am constantly reminded that each moment is a gift, and that I treat it accordingly: with thanksgiving, with respect..and with joy.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint..." - Romans 5:3-5