11 days ago I left training camp with a new joy in my step. I had just experienced a week full of joy, rejuvenating love, new beginnings and 40+ new brothers and sisters that I have the privilege of doing life with. The whole week was made of so many moments that I will always hold close with these people who I am about to do life with for 11 months.
11 days later… I now sit in Hawaii with my family on a long awaited vacation with them. My family has been through a lot in the past couple months and it’s been amazing to see my mom so excited about something again. Not only is the time with my family fun but also the scenery. I am so in awe with nature and all the things it has to offer. It amazes me to see the natural beauty of the islands.
The other night I was watching an amazing sunset over the horizon & I realized something that I hadn’t really given much thought to. I have been so busy with things going on and what’s next in my schedule that I haven’t had the chance to stop and take in the moments like this one. We miss moments when we are letting our minds sit in the future thinking of what’s next. My favorite TV show says it best,
“It’s been said that we just don’t recognize the significant moments of our lives while they are happening. We grow complacent with ideas, or things or people and we take them for granted and it’s usually not until that thing is about to be taken away from you that you’ve realized how wrong you’ve been that you realized how much you need it, how much you love it”
As we were driving home I was going through the pictures that I had taken of the sunset. I was looking to see which one I was going to upload to social media, but what happened was so much sweeter. As I looked at one picture tears started running down my cheecks. It was this picture of my sister looking into the horizon.
I see so much in this moment and I begin to think of all the things that I will miss about this little one. Taylor is 10 years younger than me, but this last year we have gotten so close. She is such a joy even with her teenage mood swings. I see so much of myself in her but also see so much more wisdom than I had at her age. She gets so excited about my travels and always asks the questions I never think of. She is my biggest fan and it really brings me to my tears when I think about the love I have for her. She’s in her prime age right now and it kills me that I won’t be here with her to celebrate her 16th birthday or see her when she begins to drive, but this made me realize now how important this next month is with her. Not only her but for my family and friends. This month can’t be about me and what I need to get done. It has to be about the people who support me and love me through it.
So as September 5th comes quickly I vouch to grab a hold of these moments. I won’t take the people and the places in front of me for granted. I will be so present in this beautiful life that I have been given. I will embrace moments and hold them in my heart so that when I leave I bring them all with me. Hold me to this.
