Losses&Blessings

My heart both breaks&sings today.

My dear friend, Katie, lost her mother this morning

...far too soon&suddenly...

and her pain tugs at my core as I remember the closeness of her precious family

and the warmth&love her quiet&peaceful mother always showed anyone she encountered.

Katie&Jeff even chose their wedding date based on it's relevance to her parents' wedding date.

I can't even imagine the inconsolable aches that will follow this passing

and I can only hope she'll embrace the best of memories and wrap herself inside them during this terrible time.

And while Susan's soul left its earthly body, my beautiful&amazing friend, Christine, gave birth to her first child.

Baby Ryan was born in the early afternoon at a healthy 8lbs&1oz with 5fingers&5toes and the most handsome face.

It's days like these that remind me that we are never given more than we can handle.

Losses&blessings surround us in life and our reactions are what define us.

I'd like to bottle this emotional energy for the next time I let the littlest thing get to me

and remember that events of much greater significance are happening all around the world

so I should appreciate what&who I have and cherish the memories I'm still able to make.

Thursday, you've knocked me down and built me up.

And so it goes.

Katie's adorable family christmas photo

christine & joe's perfect baby ryan