It Won't Be Like This For Long

I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend!

We spent the weekend at the lake with the kids - so good for all our hearts and souls.
I couldn't stop thinking about how quickly the seasons of life change. One night as we were
taking a "flash light" walk with the kids, I looked over at Nathan and asked him,

"Remember when it was just US - taking walks out here?"

I love the ebb and flow of family life. All the memories stacking up - being built into
our beautiful legacy. Makes me smile. Makes me want to sit a little longer in the time that
is given. Because even though it just gets better and better with each passing year -
full of more love, familiar, comfort - it won't be like this for long.

I think I have spent most of my life rushing, counting down the days, until the next milestone.
I couldn't wait to be old enough to wear make-up, drive a car, be a missionary, go to college...
living for the next "big event". And now? I don't feel like "I've arrived", but I guess time
has taught me that it's not about the "destination" but the "all along the way".

And now we are all having visions of "Grandma Brittany." Sigh.

Life is my "big event" - and I don't want to push aside the "Mondays" so I can get to the
"Fridays" - because you just never know! "Monday" might surprise you. And I don't want to miss it!

People before Things

I love going "home" to grandma and grandpa's house. Next to my parents, they are the ones
who have been there all along; every step, birthday, milestone - cheering, loving unconditionally,
celebrating, talking about the hard things, living. They have blessed my life tremendously.
And I'm taking notes.

They've taught me that it's not about "things", but about "people." It is about "relationships"
and making sacrifices to make sure those relationships are not compromised. It's about slowing down,
working hard, loving with all your heart, and drinking Pepsi on the back porch.

Spending time with them is like stepping back in time.
The world spins a little slower at Grandma's house - and I like it rich like that.

The other day I was out in the garden working with my grandma as she yelled over at me,
"You know I've been doing this with you since you were a munchkin." My eyes seriously
welled up with tears feeling the weight of the reality that we've probably gone beyond the
halfway point of the time God has allotted for us to spend together on this earth.

Don't blink. Don't miss a thing. I'm harvesting memories these days.
Gathering up the good stuff and drinking it down - nice and slow - remembering,
remembering that all the "things" will fade, but the "people" and the memories
we make with them will burn bright like the stars throughout all our lives.