I don’t believe I could tell you exactly what I was doing on November 13, 1998. I can tell you where I lived and what I drove, but that’s about it. Did I grocery shop? Stay home? Visit someone? I really have no idea. But…

I can tell you exactly what I was doing on November 13, 1999. Those moments are forever etched in my mind. I remember to a T the phone call at 5:30 am. I remember the taking my son to my best friend before daylight. I remember trying hard to avoid my mother’s room until they took her, only to see the reflection in the window of the living room as they carried her out of her home one last time.

It’s amazing what our minds choose to remember. And choose to forget.

But it’s not always bad.

November 30, 1998 was an ordinary day, I am guessing. Again, couldn’t tell you what I was doing. But…

November 30, 1999 brought unspeakable joy as God brought our second baby into this world. After two weeks of unspeakable heartache, I fell in love all over again with a tiny human. I can remember every detail, from arriving at the hospital to sitting on that bed while they gave me my epidural. I remember the “ride” to the OR as they prepared to bring her into the world. I remember her tiny little face as she cried because they took her from her safe world she had been in for the last nine months. At 7:30 am on the dot, our little family of three became a family of four and was complete. My heart was full.

My friends, I tell you this to remind you of two things. In 365 days, our world can change, and more than likely will. The second is that it can be for the good or for the bad.

We aren’t promised that we will be here this time tomorrow, or this time next year. So make sure that you tell those you love, that you love them. Let God into your heart, before you no longer have the time or opportunity to.

Also remember, we don’t know what good will come tomorrow or this time next year. Remember that when you are in that season of heartache or that trial of unspeakable pain, joy WILL come in the morning. You WILL see that smile on your face again.

Until next time…