Sometimes...

You can't fight the urge to sneak in and spend more time with your kids even if they're asleep.

Yesterday was one of those times.  

A family we know from law school got some earth shattering news about their 4-year old son yesterday.   He has an inoperable tumor on his brain stem.  

My knees went weak at the news.  

I don't know this family all that well, but my heart breaks for them.  

I spent the majority of yesterday afternoon thinking about my own children and my role as their mother.  Too often I am more concerned with how my house looks or what's happening on Facebook.  I have too often told the children, "Just a minute." a few times when they've asked me to join them in a game of make believe.  I have too often reacted poorly when a tantrum erupts and puts a wrench in my plans for the day.  I have too often forgotten that these little bundles are a gift and our time with them, whether it's a lifetime, a few years or only a few minutes, is precious.  

So, last night after they had gone to sleep, I quietly slipped into each of their rooms and just sat watching them sleep.  I placed my hand on their hearts to feel them beating and listened closely as they breathed in and out.  I thought about how blessed Chad and I are by them and how grateful I am to our Heavenly Father for loaning them to us to raise.  I also thought about how grateful I am for The Plan of Happiness.  How grateful I am for the knowledge that our family will be together forever.  

My heart goes out to our law school friends.   I can't even begin to imagine receiving news like that.  It has brought a change in my perspective and I am grateful for the change.

Now, I am going to go hug my kids again.