Love Speaks

One regular Sunday morning run day, I set out with my group of running buddies and one new runner.  I introduced myself and she did too and we were going to walk with the rest of the group because they had done their long run Saturday and wanted to walk.  My new friend and I did not run on Saturday so we decided to take off and get some miles and meet back at Starbucks with the rest of our group for coffee after our run.  Then we all split up and go to church.

My new friend and I had a blast that day and it seemed we had known each other for years.  We talked about everything and nothing at all.  It was an amazing day with a great run and even better company.  We exchanged numbers and the rest is what they say "history".  We are best buds now and we rapidly discovered that God brought us together and the reason had nothing to do with running.  I have learned so much from her and her family.  They inspire me to be the best me that I can be.  The most important lessons I have learned from them come directly from her oldest son and her care for him.

You see, her son is differently abled.  His touch is like the touch of an angel.  When he takes my hand he has the most gentle touch I have ever felt.  He and I rapidly grew to like each other.  I could tell by his excitement when I came in the door.  He would wave and come out of his room when I came over to visit.  We listened to music together and talked about the sky and the water in the pool, and the warmth of the sun.  We swam together, enjoyed the fountain together, arranged the pool floats together.  Oh so rapidly, our like for one another grew into love.  More quickly than some forms of love, this love knew no boundaries.  It spoke no words.  It manifested in the form of a kiss on the cheek from my friend's son when I was about to leave.  He didn't say a word, just took my hand and leaned down to kiss me on the cheek.  I will never forget that moment as long as there is breath in me.  He didn't tell me he loved me, he showed me.  You see, my friend's son is nonverbal.  That means he can't speak.  He doesn't have to speak.  His actions speak for him.  Love speaks.  He didn't need to talk to get along in this world.  God saw fit that my buddy could have a fantastic quality of life without the ability to speak and without the ability to do other things.  Wow!  I feel blessed to have a front row seat to see what God is doing in this young man's life.  He has already done great things in my life just by having the privilege to be friends with him.

I watch his mom and dad care for him, have good days and frustrating days, need a break and be able to continue.  I see their love for their son and I see their fear from the prospect of growing old and having an eternal toddler to take care of as their bodies age.  I know God chose these special people to be super parents.  They wouldn't say they were super parents, but I do.  God does.  We are all special people but God chooses extra special folks to do extra special work.  I don't fear for their future because I have faith God will give them an extra measure of youthfulness to care for their son as he ages.

I wish you could meet him.  He has the voice of an angel.  It isn't often you get to hear what someone says through only their eyes and touch.  I love to talk to him every chance I get.  It fills my soul.

May we all see love speak today and every day.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I hope you all have the best day ever!
Jennifer

What Matters Most

Wow!  It has been a while since I have blogged.  Looks like about three months.  I have been super busy with summer camp the past bit, so have been limited on my efforts with writing.  This weekend I had the best time I have had in a while.  Ironically, I was by myself on an adventure to Atlanta for the Peachtree Road Race.  It poured down rain a good part of the time but I had a perfect time and came home refreshed.  Moms, take any chance you have to get away by yourself.  It makes you a better mom and goes a long way toward helping you recharge your inner battery.  I am quite refreshed today after my 3 days by myself.

I visited my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins while I was there.  My aunt and I sat and talked for the longest time about everything, or nothing at all.  We discussed politics, history, shopping, cooking, recipes, flowers, and friends.  We went shopping several times and just window shopped or we found things we "needed".  We spent time with my cousins and watched fireworks.  It was an absolutely perfect weekend.  What was the best part of the weekend?  My family.  Not the shopping, not the fireworks, not anything but spending time with the people I love.  It is an amazing feeling to realize that some of your family members are actually people that you would pick out of a crowd to be friends with.  But instead, they happen to be family.

In February my mother in law passed away.  I have heard for years and also read in the Bible that I should not lay up for myself treasure on earth.  It became real for me when I was there when as my mother in law passed and the funeral home came to pick her up.  The nurses at the facility she was in came and changed her out of her own gown and put a hospital gown type thing on her to leave in.  We gathered up all her belongings from that room and took them home with us.  She left us with absolutely nothing.  No money, no clothes that belonged to her, no jewelry, no purse, no nothing.  It hit me like a ton of bricks that "things" are not important.  I knew this in my head but seeing it play out and be real was an eye opener for me.  So what really is important if we leave this earth with nothing?  People.  That is what is important.  Family.  Friends.  People that cross your path every day.  They are what is important.  When we are on our death bed, we are not going to be wishing we had one more time to carry our Louis Vuitton purse shopping again.  We are going to want to hug our children, our family, our friends.

I treasure the time I had with my aunt, uncle and cousins this weekend.  People are what is important.  On my death bed, I will not wish I had another chance to go to the Vera Bradley Outlet and buy a bag.  I will want another hug from my family.


May we all remember that we leave this world with nothing.  May we eject ourselves from the rat race and focus on people.  They are what matters.

Be sure and visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com

Thanks for reading my blog!  Let me know what you think!  I love reading commentary.

Jennifer