My heart is in mourning!

Sorry for such a long absence. I think this is the longest that I've gone without blogging, but we've been so busy! I've been eagerly awaiting a few free moments this coming week to share some images from the great sessions we've photographed the last month and a half. But right now, I can't bring myself to do that! I received some devastating news this weekend! However, I run a photography business and although I normally do not work on a holiday, I had an entire holiday weekend full of sessions scheduled (Saturday, Sunday and Monday). I had to be professional, put on a smile, and photograph my clients. Now, I thank God for that because it kept my mind occupied.

I am very sad for a very good friend of mine and her family! I truly wish I could have been with her this weekend. She and I have been friends for almost 20 years! They were eagerly awaiting the fourth addition to their family! At 26 weeks of pregnancy, my friend had to have an emergency cesarian. The baby was coming early and there was no stopping him. Although he weighed in at 1 pound, 10 ounces, there was a slim chance of hope. But within 24 hrs, they were told that the baby's lungs and brain were full of blood and the best thing to do would be to take him off life support. If not, the baby would suffer too much. While it was a very difficult decision to make, my friend and her husband knew it was the right one, and they followed the doctors' suggestions. If you ask me, it was a selfless choice! All of this happenned between Friday morning and Saturday evening. I'm not exagerating when I say that I am still crying for my friend and her family! I wish that I could take her pain away. I really do! I don't think I've ever posted anything sad regarding my life or my loved ones' lives. But for some reason, I felt that this needed to be acknowledged. Life, death, and suffering are such taboo subjects. We never want to talk about sad topics or bring others down. I certainly don't! Why would God allow this? Why? An innocent baby wasn't allowed to live! That is our normal reaction to a situation like this. But when you really stop to think about it, for those of us that have that faith and certainty of where we are going when we move on from this short time on earth, we know that precious sweet baby is happily resting in Jesus' arms. He is happy, content, safe, and has no worries whatsoever! His family is in pain. Those of us that were eagerly awaiting his arrival are in pain. He is better off than we are, that's for sure. We are in pain because we had the need to hold that beautiful baby in our arms and nurture and love him!

You know, when we trust Jesus with our lives, we aren't promised a life full of blessings and no suffering. But we are promised He will walk by our side through every situation life throws our way, and when the pain is too hard to bare, he will lift us up and carry us through. He will give us wings like eagles so we can soar again! He has definitely done that for me. I know the Lord will carry my friend and her family through this! I know he has carried me through similar situations that have been devastating to my family. But we are stronger and more united because of them. This also reminds me of how blessed I am to have the family and loved ones I have in my life. Even though my friend is going through such great pain, she is blessed to have an amazing family and support system standing behind her. Life is so short, and can be taken from us at any moment! Please take a minute to tell your loved one, sister, brother, mother, child, friend, how much you love them. Don't put it off. Don't say "ditto" when they tell you the same thing. Say, "I love you!". Say it to your kids until they are tired of hearing it! Say it until it is as common as saying, "Hi". Don't put it off, or you may never get the chance to say it! Don't ever let them wonder if you really loved them. My dad died when I was 19. Although at the end of his life, he came to know Jesus, he missed out on a huge blessing and enjoyment. He never knew what it was like to say "I love you!" to any of his three kids. And when I told him "I love you, " can you guess his response? You got it! "Ditto!" Now, as a parent, I shower my boys with kisses, hugs, and "I love you's" every moment I can. And I feel sorry for him that he never knew how wonderful that feels. Take a minute, an hour, a day, to enjoy life and those around you! Live each day like it is your last, living life to the fullest! Live your life making a difference! Make your life count!

I promise tomorrow I will post some great, fun, images and talk about less "heavy" topics. But today, this was in my heart, and I knew I had to share it. Many blessings!