Splash it up!

This video popped up in my memories from 5 years ago and the flood of emotions I felt in the moments that it was taken came rushing back as if this were happening in real time. Funny how a video or a sight or a sound or a smell can do that to your heart, isn't it?

Our daughter, Blu, was 2.5 years old when I went for my first cancer treatment. I don't have to tell you how scary that was for me, but I had the blessing of being able to bring my daughter with me for my three times a week treatments. Our wonderful team of nurses watched her and loved on her while I was receiving treatments, which was a huge load off of Handsome Pants and me since he was traveling heavily for work at the time. When it rains, it pours in this thing called life, doesn't it?

So it was my first time coming to the CTRC for treatment and obviously I was nervous. It started pouring rain on our drive over there and by the time we got out of the car there were puddles galore. I looked at Blu and said, ’Let's splash in them!’ And we splashed indeed. We were drenched by the time we made our way into the building, but I didn't even care. I was making memories with my daughter. My nurses laughed when I told them the story and fetched some towels for us. It is one of my favorite motherhood memories, born from such a dark time in my life. So now, my babies splash in puddles whenever they want. Life is short and tenuous. We laugh and grab every last drop of fun out of this gift we've been given here on Earth. And that night 5 years ago when I shot this video was no exception.

How do YOU grab onto life? My hope for you is that you can lay your head on your pillow at night and think of at least one thing that made your heart smile. One thing you did that made an impact. One lesson you learned that made you say, 'Aha', because after all, isn't that what the good stuff in life is made of? Go run and splash and laugh and love. Today and always...