Reflecting on what really matters

Today was the funeral for a co-worker's 12 year old. He had been battling Leukemia on and off for the last 2 years. It was one of those bitter-sweet events where you knew you should be sad that he is no longer here with his parents but at the same time you are happy that he is no longer suffering. This little boy was born with Down Syndrome and had gone through six major surgeries by the time he was six months old. The inspiring thing is that his parents still felt lucky that he had picked them to be his parents. They cherished every day that he was with them and celebrated all of his accomplishments. They are amazing parents and a blessing to everyone that knows them. They painted a picture of a little boy who despite his young age knew to live life to the fullest and without fear.

Sitting there during the service I couldn't help but cry. I cried because I could only imagine the pain that his family was feeling, I cried because a parent should never have to bury their child, and I cried because I was so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to have a child of my own.

It put so many things into perspective and made me realize that all too often I focus on things that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. It reminded me that I am blessed to have a Little Man that wakes me up several times in the middle of the night, the same Little Man who wants to play even though all I feel like doing is taking a nap; I am blessed because I have him. I get to stare at him while he is sleeping next to me, I get to see him when he wakes up first thing in the morning and gives me that smile, the smile that always melts my heart. I get to spend time playing with him, singing with him and yes, trying to soothe him when he is cranky. I also realized that life is too short and valuable to not "stop and smell the roses". I need to focus on enjoying the time that I have with my loved ones right now rather than putting it off for the sake of having that time in the future. After all, only God knows how long we will have to spend with those we love. We all need to stop taking ourselves so seriously and just let loose; sing like nobody is listening, dance like nobody is watching, and love like there is no tomorrow.

Little did that little boy the impact that he would have on so many people, people he knew and loved and people he never got to meet.

God Bless you little one, thank you for the impact you made in all of our lives and keep an eye out for those of us that are still down here will ya?