A Second Chance

Life is made up of fragments of moments. Perhaps in the interest of this blog, we'll call them seconds. Life is made up of seconds that smack us so hard in the face it's difficult to imagine how the cards fell so perfectly.

Like tonight.

Shortly before we were due to leave for a charity softball game benefiting Indiana Children's Wish Fund, Jack spiked a fever of 102. The doctor said not to be alarmed, that he was fine, but the mother in me didn't want to leave him in this state. I was already exhausted, it was easy to stay. It was the easy thing to do. My loving, caring rockstar of a husband told me to go, that I needed to see my marketing efforts through to the very end.

So I went. Alone. And as I'm sitting in the stands taking it all in with a great pride for the company I work for representing what we do best: care about people, Mason stepped up to run the bases. Mason uses a walker made for children and honestly I'm quite certain he ran the bases faster than I ever ran the bases. The more steps he took with his tiny body, the more excitement spread through the crowd. By the time Mason rounded third, almost everyone at Victory Field was on their feet chanting his name.

A reporter asked:

"Mason, how did that make you feel?"

His reply? "Like a real baseball player."

That was a second worth remembering, worth breathing in, worth documenting. Because here he is, a kid who never got a chance to be "normal" running as fast as his tiny legs would allow having one of the greatest moments in his life.

Tonight I sat on my front porch and thought about Mason and my tiny $3 donation and how I WISH I could have done more for Mason. I overheard some voices and noticed a tent pitched in the front yard of my neighbor's house. A little girl giggled as her Dad told ghost stories. And that was another combination of seconds worth mentally documenting.

Because sometimes you need a SECOND chance for life to smack you across the face and say "Wake up. There is beauty everywhere. Go find it."

Tuesday Thoughts

I took a random Wednesday off so I could wake up and spend a summer day with Jack while almost everyone else I knew had to work.

That day is tomorrow. I will surely document the day in pictures.

Today I tried ice cream they literally created in front of my eyes with liquid nitrogen. The experience was incredible, but the ice cream was terrible.

I found a book with pictures of babies from around the world. Jack loves pictures of babies. I love the world so the gift for $6.95 was 100% worth it. He smiled the entire time we looked at the book. I spoke in a ridiculously high pitched voice saying "Look at the baby" over and over and over again.

Mass Avenue is a great place to waste an hour on a Tuesday. I conclude this day feeling one very powerful emotion: relief.

Can't wait to spend the day with you tomorrow, Jack. It's gonna be awesome.

Sunday Thoughts

Jack,

At the end of the day, the only thing we can control are our actions and our thoughts. Resentment is like poison for our body. First it starts with the mind and then it impacts our body, our health.

Live a life rooted in forgiveness, surrounded by friends and doing things to help others. That is the secret to true happiness. If someone starts to impact your mind in a negative way, try to view this as a life lesson, an opportunity for growth and understanding. Don't drink the poison. Don't wish ill will on anyone. Wish them happiness and success no matter how they treat you. 

This is easier said then done, but if you find a quiet corner and center yourself it may be easier to refocus your mind. 

Go for a run, even if you hate running, go. Your body needs an escape.

Invest yourself in positive actions. Help people. Don't just see two feet in front of your own face. Be aware and step in when someone needs help. Often help is just a simple hello or short conversation where you listen more than you speak. It doesn't have to be building a home, saving a life or  a missions trip to a third world country. 

Be helpful to those around you. Be kind to those who are unkind to you. Start each day focusing on your blessings.

And don't forget to put the toilet seat down.

Mom