reality.

Last night, I felt like I had been pummeled in the gut repeatedly after I read a story about a fellow blogger in a similar stage in life as me.  Only, her whole world has been shaken and permanently disfigured; she lost her husband in a tragic car accident.

I can't get her out of my head.  And I can't stop thinking of the amount of things I take for granted, despite best efforts not to.  Her family unit is forever changed; her heart will never feel the same.

I have so much to look forward to in the future, but what I am doing today?

I see blurs of chubby little feet scrambling across antique wood floors; squeals of delight followed by fits of giggles.

Big gap-toothed grins with a parade of dimples.

My favorites with their toes painted pink.

A husband that tells me how much he loves me many times a day.

A life with my best friend.

An imaginary world where a know-it-all Grandma tells Ruby everything she knows.

The way two sisters snuggle the way no one else does.

Sleepy breaths around me.

The rhythmic thumping beneath my hand in the wee hours of the morning.

It's all of a sign of this beautiful life we live.  A bright little post-it note full of reminders of all life's joy.
I'm thankful.  I really am, and even though I take so much for granted, I am reminded on a daily basis that the littlest treasures are the big ones.

Hold your loved ones a little tighter, and whisper a few more love yous.

I am blessed, and so are you.  Life is a gift, and we aren't guaranteed tomorrow.