Priceless

When I was a young boy growing up I remember going to my Grandparents house and asking Grandpa to go through his picture books with me. It was like a window into a different time. I got to see him as a boy, a soldier, a young man and other times during his life. I got to meet people that had been gone long before I was born. Grandpa helped me meet and recognize people I had never met. I can think back to those times and remember them very vividly. Those pictures and that time together are priceless.

When Grandpa passed I remember being so sad and missing him so much. When I think of him now I remember the good times, his laugh, his smile and lots of time playing cards. I have been told that when you can think of the person that is gone and be happy for those good times you will know that you are healed.

In going through different things in our house what is priceless has been crossing my mind. They say that some rare gems or precious metals can be priceless. Well I guess value is truly in the eye of the beholder because for me the largest, rarest, most expensive diamond in the world is not priceless. It would have nowhere near the value to me that the price tag would imply. A card from a loved one, a picture of a forgotten memory or a note can be truly irreplaceable and priceless.

We are very fortunate to have taken so many pictures of our time together. Sometimes it did feel like we were living life through a viewfinder because of all the pictures we were taking, but I am so glad we took them. In looking at the pictures I am so thankful for the person that was behind the lens. A relatively small percentage of the photos we took wound up in our annual or special event photo books. It is fun to look back at camping trips, weddings, vacations, one of us being goofy, and so many moments of living. Life is a priceless blessing.

After our trip last year to Florida I made Parker a photo book. It was made to retell him the story of that trip and cement those memories. Kristin and I had talked about making such a book before the trip, and we captured a lot of special memories. We read the narrative we put with the pictures countless times to Parker, and I have continued to read it to him from time to time. He will always remember that trip now. I have no doubt.

In going through things in the house I think we saved every card we ever gave each other. It has been good to read them and remember the words that were written and what we shared. They have been difficult to read too, but they are far more precious than any stone could ever be. One message in a card from before Kristin got sick that struck a particular chord with me was a line about thanking God everyday for each other, our love and our health. While it is easy to forget, being healthy is truly priceless. Parker and I pray for the health of our families and friends and relatives everyday.

It is amazing to see things in Parker that he learned from Kristin. Every time he sees our pets and says, “Look at our sweet, cute, birdies.” it puts a smile on my face and touches my heart. When he sits next to me and says, “Snuggles” and then shares them with me I think of all the times Kristin did that with him. When he says, “Daddy........... I love You” I think of all the times Kristin said something similar to him. Last night Parker asked to listen to the songs that Kristin recorded for us. He wanted me to sit with him while we listened. He said that he was kind of sad because he missed Mommy because she was in heaven, but she left her voice for us. Love is the most priceless gift of all.

Below is a poem we have had hanging in our house for several years. Today feels like a good day to share it.

Patrick - 03/12/15

Live, Love, Laugh

LIVE as if each moment

could be your last!

Hold onto every second

do not idly let them pass.

LIVE life to its fullest,

a blessing that can be.

Put on those rosy glasses

and let there be beauty

in all you see.

LOVE with a heart of passion

in all you endeavor to do.

Share it with others and

it will return back to you.

LOVE all the wonderful things

this world offers you.

Let it fill your longing heart

for this is a blessing too.

LAUGH as often as you can

'cause that will brighten your day.

Share it with others, in your voice,

your smile or some other way.

LAUGH because you know it will

take your stress away.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH...

and let this be

your very best day.