Praying...

Sometimes something happens—something so unexpected and tragic—that it forces you to look at your own life and take stock. On Labor Day, a family I have basically known all my life (we share common relatives) lost one of their own, a young boy, in a car accident. He was almost two. It's been a tear-and-prayer-filled week, to say the least.

Today, as I sit and mourn, I find myself facing the realization that life is a gift, not a guarantee. Every breath is a blessing. Too often we take for granted our very existence, and it's so easy to forget to be thankful for all that we have. I know I am so guilty of this. If anything, this tragedy has reminded me to take a deep breath, drop to my knees, and remember to pray.

Even more, however, my heart goes out to the family of this little boy. What can I say? There are no words for such a situation. I can only hope they will find a way to heal together. I can only pray that their beliefs will hold them up. And as my heart aches for them, I know that I am changed. As I look at my own children, as tears well in my eyes, I know I'll forever hug them a little tighter, smell their hair a little deeper, and take comfort in the knowledge only faith can bring.