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As a young adult I met a great man. He was someone to be admired and look up to as an example of the kind of person you want to become. We met as we were both missionaries for our church. As it goes with most fellow missionaries, especially at the start of the world with internet, we did not keep in touch. Facebook reconnected me with so many people in my past and Steve was one of them.
One day I saw a post on my news feed about his wife. She was just diagnosed with cervical cancer and decided to blog about her journey. After reading the first post, I was hooked. Kami has a wonderful sense of humor, a knack for storytelling and a kick butt attitude with a healthy dose of brutal honesty. Over the next few months I’d check in once in a while to see how her battle was going. She successfully made it through with her cancer put into remission the middle of 2013.
In October 2013 I checked in on Facebook one day to find out Steve passed away from a heart attack at only 38 years old!! Noooooo, they just beat cancer and now they lost him! By this time, even though I have not met Kami or their three young boys I felt like I knew them. Reading about his passing brought me to tears and renewed my determination to spend more quality time with my family. Because she had inspired me so much, especially when my sweet cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer January 2013, I sent her a little gift and a Facebook friend request. Somehow it felt ok to friend her then when it didn’t as she battled cancer. 🙂
She continues to share her life and I continue to be impressed. Today’s post really touched my heart, and I hope it touches yours too.
“My youngest just came downstairs while I was submitting yet another response to yet another discussion question for my graduate work. He walked over, and while he was rubbing my arm he said wistfully, “I just want to spend a minute with you,” and then he began to cry. I snuggled him into my arms and as he sat on my lap he asked me through tears, “How come you can’t just be Mom anymore? Why do you have to work and go to school? It’s not fair.” Well, I started to cry at this point, and buried my head into his soft little belly. This life is full of seasons, and even just a year ago I thought that I needed to be more than ‘just’ a Mom. Now, I would give anything to be ‘just’ that. Small boys shouldn’t have to grow up so fast. Bigger boys will always need their father. Tender hearts are remarkably resilient. And quiet words bring the world back into perspective. How blessed I am to be the mother of such young souls. If I could rewind to a year ago, I would treasure every moment of wholeness that we had. As this is not possible, I will instead treasure every moment of tender growth that must be endured and be grateful for knowing such love.” ~ Kami
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Alicia G - What a wonderful reminder to live and enjoy where we are in life.May 6, 2014 – 2:45 pm
Allison - This is a great reminder. Thank you for sharing!May 5, 2014 – 1:28 pm
Around Here April 2014 - Designing Delicious Adventures - […] crying after finding this article: Time & Inspiration. LOVE, love, love Kami’s encouragement to embrace “moments of wholeness and tender […]April 30, 2014 – 2:52 am
Candice - What a beautiful post and a needed reminder to appreciate the “here and now”– even when you’re tired and stressed.April 30, 2014 – 1:41 am