Love has decided to show up on our doorstep with baskets of treats for the kids. Love decided that we would need meals to make our lives easier. Love hopped on an airplane and shared physically and emotionally taxing days with us. Love held us close in the hospital when the news was more than we could bear. Love picked Tanner up from school when Grace was too sick to get out of bed. Love prayed for us. Love cried for us. Love ached with us. Love continuously made visits to our house with kind cards or care baskets. Love shaved their head in the dead of winter. Love mailed a little "thinking of you" note. Love planned surprises that would make us smile. Love sat with me in the hospital so the nights wouldn't feel so long. Love was all we could give when her body ached so badly that nothing else could cure it. Love was what her brother gave as he smiled through the fear...as his life was unalterably changed...as he watched her given gifts and he was happy for her instead of jelous...as he picked her up and carried her up the stairs because she was too weak to make it on her own...as he patiently stood by while his parents were too busy. Love was what her tiny baby sister could give as she pats her back when Gracie cries or when she says "luv loo Gacie." Love is all we can offer to them...these precious gifts from Heavenly Father. That feeling is too much...it seems so meager, and yet it is the only thing that really counts. Love is what gets us on our knees at night, thanking God that we have another day with them and that we're making it through. Love is what gets us off our knees and forces us to act, to help, to hope that we can offer more. Love is anything and everything that is good. Love is stillness, a stolen, quiet moment peering at your children's faces when they don't suspect you're watching them. Love is when you are sure you can't make it through, but love stirs in your heart and you have to...you love so much that you can't stop until you've done enough to make it alright. Love is what makes the bad bearable, the difficult- refining, and the good-even better.
"The love we give away is the only love we keep." -Elbert Hubbard
Painting toenails the color of love!
We walked into the front room to find Eva had pulled out the candlestick holder and was busy training to be a rock star!
Wow...what more can we say?
Wow?
14 comments:
We LOVE you! That was a beautiful Love note!!
Wow! This is beautiful! I always look forward to what you write here on your blog, and this one just topped it off! You are SO loved! We LOVE you guys, and love will continue to get you through!!
Much love!!
What a perfect message. It was beautiful to witness all the love up there last week! Thank you for letting me come and stay. I already miss you guys so much.
Gracie... I hope your unicorn (GENEVA) is doing well and I miss playing polly pockets!! Tanner... How fun to see your basketball practice, and how well you are doing in school!
Easy E... Thanks for watching Elmo with me. I am sorry I don't really know how to draw him!
Annabelle... PLEASE TAKE A BATH, BUT I LOVE YOU!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts... I can only imagine how your view of love has grown, changed, multiplied and will forever mean so much more to you and your family now. I am so glad to hear Gracie's numbers went up, what a blessing! Keep up the good news... we love you!
What a well written message, I do not think that there was one dry eye after reading this precious expression of love! Thank you, We love you!
Wow, that is so beautiful. Your outlook on the situation is amazing and Love just shines in each of you. Loving your pictures!
That was just lovely, Kim. I have goose bumps now because that really made me feel the spirit. Thanks so much.
Love is what I feel when I read your beautiful, touching words. . . . Love is what you are doing for your family and your children are very, very lucky. . . .
Tears! :) What an amazing writer you are. It was so good to see you guys again last week and Grace, it was so nice to meet your Grandma and Auntie! We are SO glad to see your numbers went up. McKenna says she loves you! Take care everyone.
Emily
This was amazing to read. Thank you for such a great reminder of what is really important and what this disease can never take from us. It made me very emotional to read and I try not to get emotional these days. I'm saving my emotions for when this is all over. But your post made me feel some of it. Darn You! (Kidding) it is great to let my defenses down a little and let my self feel the gratitude and love that has also blessed our lives. You are a very talented writer, it is a great message.
I LOVE this post about love. Don't you just love this holiday??? And it comes at the perfect time, in the middle of cold winter! Your little family is so darling. I just love seeing the pictures. Eva is a mini-JR. She looks like his little clone, only feminine! I love that Grace is painting her toenails. So sweet! I am glad you feel loved, you all deserve it and are so easy to love!
Your posts never fail to bring tears to my eyes. I wich I was there to give you all a big hug. I LOVE the Ujifusas. Miss you guys!
Crying. what a well written, wonderful post. I can think of no better examples of LOVE, so it is appropriate that others get to share their love with you. what incredible examples you are. Love you.
What a great, great post. Where are my tissues?!?! I should know better by now that I can't make it through any post on your blog with dry eyes. I love you guys and am very touched by all of your love for your children, family, and friends.
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