Friday for us was going to start out a normal day, but would end the beginning of a very much not a normal weekend. JDaniel started the day at preschool and ended by being at his Nana’s in Georgia to attend a funeral.
We knew he was going to pass. He had started sleeping more a lot more just before Thanksgiving. There had been talk of cutting our family reunion short to attend the funeral if he died that weekend. He had rallied that weekend and seemed to be more alert for several weeks.
My husband’s uncle was ninety four. He had lived a full life. Everyone at the funeral had wonderful tales to share about him. His funeral was a joyful occasion. During the funeral the minister said that one of his favorite sayings was “Live your life.”
I couldn’t help but think about those who lost there lives in Connecticut just the day before as I sat in the chapel. A news post had shared information about the tragedy with me before we packed up the car to head south. All those children, teachers, and administrators would never see ninety four. They wouldn’t have grandchildren and great nephews sitting in their funerals. They hadn’t really been given enough time to live their lives as my husband’s uncle had.
Knowing that not all people will have long lives they will live but much shorter ones has lead me to try to enjoy each day. I find myself cherishing the moments I have with JDaniel and my husband. Those moments aren’t big, expensive, or even fancy. They are simple moments like gingerbread cookie making to share with people we love in a sun filled kitchen on a Thursday afternoon.
Looks like a great spatula. I really like your camel cookie cutter.
I haven’t had gingerbread cookies in a very long time!! Love the shapes. I remember making cookies with my Grandma–so much fun–yes, live your life as if it were your last–you never know what tomorrow may bring.
oh how fun and great for sensory too!
We do love baking and I agree, I love it when the kids get “stuck in”.
I’m sorry for the loss of your husband’s uncle, but I’m so glad it sounds like you all celebrated his life together in such a great way. I love what you said about not waiting to live our lives. When you “wait” the time never really comes. Great post.
YUM! Gingerbread cookies!! I love baking with my kids during the holidays too! Nice family time!
I’m sorry for your loss! I love the gingerbread cookies though! 🙂
I’m sorry for the loss of your husband’s uncle. I am glad he lived a full and long life.
Those cookies are cute and look so yummy.
Thanks for sharing this post. It was inspirational and moving. I have been cherishing my moments with my family more since the shooting Friday. It’s hard not to be affected by it.
What a splendid thing to do for Cookies for Kid’s Cancer. I bet your little one had a great time making cookies with you!!! My older grand kids would love to help me bake.
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing your take on the tragedy in Connecticut.
Thank you for the reminder of the importance of living life! Sorry for your families loss, but I’m glad that your Uncle had lived a good life of 94 years Wow.
I didn’t mention above your cookies turned out great too. They look to be the perfect thickness =)
I so agree that we need to cherish what we have each and every day!
You are so right! This is exactly the wake up call we ALL needed. Time is precious and is a gift. We have to treat it and each other better.
I like the camels. I’m sure it smelled good in your house that day:)
I can almost smell them baking right now. Oh, those sweet spices–delicious!
I couldn’t agree more…
cherish life and live it. amen.
I agree. I love those little hands kneading the dough and the cookies look great
Merry Christmas
Mmmm. Gingerbread cookies!
Yes, it’s important to enjoy even the simpler parts of life as none of us know how long we will be here. 🙂
Oh loves these little busy and creative hands photo ~ Fun!
Happy Holidays to you ^_^
(A Creative Harbor ~ aka ArtMuseDog and Carol )
What a wonderful afternoon spent with your son. I try to live each day as if it were my last – I’m convinced it’s the best way to live.
So so beautifully said! And yes we do need to live and cherish each moment — even if we live until we are 94- why not enjoy it and cherish it along the way?
Your words created an image of a group of people coming together to celebrate the life of a man who even after passing continues to Live Life, by passing on to all of you this precious message. I adore reading your blog posts about life with JDaniel. Memories of my son as a tiny boy still fill me with great joy. A really beautiful post.
I still need to make gingerbread cookies this season. Looks like you had fun.
I like your “E” word (enjoy) post. Yes, make gingerbread or what ever with the little ones, walk with the big kids, talk with old ones, and visit the sick (take some chicken soup with you).
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My kids love making cookies! Such fun, and an experience they won’t forget!
I totally agree with you!! Your cookies turned out great…I’m sure he loved making them with you.
what a fun 🙂
Beautiful heartfelt post 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your family
Darling! And I love the smell of gingerbread cooking in the house.
=)
A lovely thought provoking post.
Merry Christmas
x
{Kathy} Living memories now….All four of my kids are together and under the same roof sleeping as of right now (it won’t last long). These are the times that I treasure, the peaceful ones, the ones that I know everything is OK — right now.
Baking is one of those activities that I have struggled with doing with my children forever. I finally have a few strategies that work, but it still takes a little out of me every time we do it. Thanks for posting the cookie adventure.
What a sweet post! And I can smell those cookies!!
Your post captured much of what I have been feeling. I have been holding my children a bit closer, leaving work a bit earlier and really trying to life in the moment. Give JDaniel a big hug from us!
I’m so sorry for your sadness mixed in with holiday joy.
It seems that happens more and more the older we get!
I think we are all still struggling with the horror of that fateful day. To protect our children is all…and it seems like that is becoming harder in this world.
I’m sending you a belated holiday wish for lots of Merry and Bright!
Thank you for letting us share JDaniel with you.
He is a joy!
Hugs and A++
Beautiful post.x