Once again, my lovely friend hit it out of the park. Cher, who comes over once a month-ish to take pictures of my Bambina belly, offered us a night out yesterday, to go out for dinner and to see a movie. She had seen and been really touched by the movie “I Can Only Imagine” and really wanted us to see it to. So much so that she offered to care for our little brood while we went to it. What a HUGE gift!! We jumped at it, obviously. She came over around 4:00 on Friday and sent us off after my brief instructions of when bedtime happens roughly and if there were any specifics. There weren’t.
Once at Boston Pizza, she sent me this beautiful picture, and I knew my kids were in good hands. Happy hands.
We enjoyed our evening away very very much. Supper was delicious, and the movie was very touching. A definite thinker. The movie is a retelling of the life of the man who wrote the song “I Can Only Imagine.” I don’t want to spoil it, but he suffers through an abusive childhood, overcomes it to a degree, but can’t fully succeed without going back home and addressing his issues. Its very God centred, which I love to see in theatres. It was a great, sad story. I think the general message the movie was trying to send was about keeping God as your centre, and He will direct your path. This guy followed, even when it SUCKED, and he won!! The biggest thing I took from the movie, however, is the reminder that my actions will affect my children forever, and I want those actions to have a good effect on them! I don’t ever want them to feel like they’re not good enough for me, or that they can’t achieve their goals. I do NOT want to minimize them, but build them up!! It is SO important, and its easy to lose sight of some days when you’re struggling to keep your head above water.
Today, news of the Humboldt Broncos accident is everywhere. The last I heard was 15 deceased, 14 injured. Its been confirmed that a few of the deceased were adults, but odds would have it that most are the players. The young players. Teenagers. I know a lot of people are shaken, myself included. But whats burning in my brain the most is that these kids’ parents time was cut short. They didn’t get a chance to go back and fix what they possibly screwed up. They didn’t EVER think that sending their kids out to achieve their dreams would cost them their lives at the drop of a hat.
I’m reminded that life is fleeting, and we just never, ever know. I don’t mean to be dark and morbid, but its been an interesting two-day shake down for me to remember what a huge responsibility it is to parent children, and how I need the do the very best I can, with unconditional, unceasing love!
I’m so grateful for my children. Aren’t they amazing? I know I am fortunate for every single day I have with them. And I’m so thankful for the people in my life who pour into our family so often. I never realized how necessary they are. People are not kidding when they say it takes a village to raise a family, and I’m SO thankful for our willing, thoughtful, sensitive, initiative-taking village. I’m amazed as I watch it grow. Thank you, all. You know who you are.