Life is Just a Handbreadth

I had to look up the word, handbreadth, as I read this scripture. “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” Psalm 39:5. Handbreadth is defined as a linear measurement approximately the width of the palm of the hand, from 2.5 to 4 inches. That’s a very small measurement in terms of the length of our lives. It also says that "everyone is but a breath"! And the way time is rolling on in lightning speed the older I get -- I believe it!

When we moved my mother-in-law to my sis-in-law’s home last year, mom was on a mission to give away so many of her treasures. For everthing else, we had an estate sale. It took us a while to distribute it all because Mom wanted to go through every picture from her archives and those that had merited a prominent place in her home. Karen and I patiently sat with her as she explained the back-story for most of the photos. Many of the people in those photos have gone on to heaven. This photo is from her 90th birthday and some of those pictured here who left for heaven already. Many of Mom's other pictures were of her mom and dad and she was a much younger version of herself in them. She treasured them because life was changing for her. She was now the great grandma and she is the oldest of anyone in her photos. Goodness, I think about me and my own family. All my siblings are gone and I'm the oldest remaining. Indeed, life is just a handbreadth.

A few days ago I attended the funeral of a beloved aunt on my husband’s side of the family. I’m the widowed in-law, but this family has always welcomed me in as one of their own. I have the sweetest memories with this family of so many members. That day I looked around the chapel and the restaurant afterwards. I took in the faces one by one, appreciating something about each of them. I put my phone in my purse. It wasn’t nearly as important as talking to the one next to me. The room was crowded and noisy, and I realized that one day it would be quiet — for many in this room will be all grown up and others will be gone to heaven too.

One day, we’ll remember this day of celebrating the life of a dear mom, grandmother, wife, sister, and aunt when we’re probably celebrating the life of another precious family member who has just departed. We’ll talk about the way we were and we’ll sing songs about heaven. If only we realized the beauty that awaits us, we’d indeed be thanking God that our days are a mere handbreadth before we get to go there too.

My hope is that I’ll watch it and know I didn’t live those moments disengaged or distracted. That I engaged in my own life in the handbreadth of time I was given, valuing all those I love. Lord, help me treasure precious moments as memories in the making. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm 144:4, “They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.”

Thankful for the Precious Moments

So good to be back home in T-Town! Always thankful to go.....and thankful to be back home. Quite frankly..... ”thankful” has become my default emotion. Thankful for my life, thankful for family, thankful for friends, and, thankful that I choose to be thankful. I'm especially thankful for the precious moments in my life, and so thankful God gives me wisdom for the moments. He does that, by the way, as I seek His advice even in the smallest details. Looking back….at the times that just seemed routine and non-momentous, are now some of the most precious of them all. Every moment is a moment to be cherished. – because we will NEVER have that moment again. It’s gone. That’s why I make such big deals of MOMENTS.

Here’s an example: Before I left Tulsa, I was accompanying a friend while she shopped. I saw a Kevin Durant (OKC Thunder MVP) sport shirt just in the size of my grandson, Brennan, whose birthday is on July 2nd. It was a “find” – the Thunder are right up there with our Oklahoma roots family. I knew I had to buy it – besides, it was on sale. I took it with me to WA to give to Brennan while I was there, since I’d be back home in Tulsa on his actual birthday. Turning 10 is a big year – gotta' celebrate double-digits. So, I kept my ears and eyes open while in WA. He’s such a great Little League baseball player, and even made the All Star Team (BTW – they won their first All Star game today – continuing to win could lead to a State championship – that would definitely merit a return trip to WA -- LOL). I became the #1 Fan of the team while I was there. Though there were just practices, Nana was there watching my boy play – I embraced the moments. I noticed that most of the boys’ baseball bags had wheels on them, and his Mom told me Brennan's bag was worn from dragging it because his had no wheels. Aha! Birthday idea. So we started looking, and indeed we did find just the one – navy blue like the team colors, more pockets, wheels, and, we had it embroidered with his name and his team’s name.

Last night Nana was able to have the big REVEAL. Just after his shower and before going to bed (and the night before his first All Star game), I told him I wanted to give him his BD present. First, he opened the handmade card I made for him (that’s my “thing” – using graphics to create a special "Nana" card – and of course, I created a magazine cover with Brennan in his baseball uniform). He first opened his Kevin Durant shirt – he loved it, and it was especially endearing to me that he had talked so fondly of Kevin Durant while I was there. Just yesterday we were talking about surprises and he told me "I'm never surprised -- like at Christmas I overheard Mom & Dad talking about my present!" Then I announced "I have one more gift for you -- wait right here!" When I turned the corner with his new bag, his little hands covered his mouth as he was in shock and awe. This time, he WAS surprised. The effort, the time, the joy of research and completion was so worth it. It was a MOMENT -- maybe not one of those defining moments, but indeed it was a moment that will live with me forever.

We can grasp this idea today and start appreciating every small thing that is already great in our lives. We often forget those good things because we're looking back in the past, or what we don't have in the present!! Let's be so thankful for the blessings of MOMENTS we have today, and let's celebrate them with gusto!!