A Tribute to an Amazing Man & A Shift In Perspective

The kids and I were able to attend the funeral services of a wonderful family friend who was taken from this Earth far to early. I know he is in a much better place. I know he is no longer suffering the terrible effects of the cancer that attacked his body. I know he is happy and surrounded by loved ones. I know he and his family will be together forever. Even with all this knowledge, I had a hard time sitting at the funeral watching his 31 year old son and other loved ones talk about this 59 year old man whose time came to an end. It made me reevaluate my perspective and what is important in this life.

I remembered that it's not the new cars, most fashionable clothes that change every season, biggest diamond, latest and greatest cell phone or I-pad, biggest and best decorated (and cleanest) home or anything I can buy with money. It's my husband and my kids and making the most of the time I get to spend with them. It's living in the moment and not worrying about the things I could/should be doing instead of enjoying them. It's taking care of myself, exercising and eating healthy so I can and will be healthy to take care of them and be with them for many, MANY years. It's using my Eternal eyes and not my temporal eyes when viewing my life. It's remembering what I am working for while being here on this earth...to return to live with my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ and my family for Eternity! I know most of you are always thinking of these things and making them priorities but I lost my perspective lately and am sad it took this loss to make me get it back.

After the funeral we went to the cemetery where I once again had to remind myself to just enjoy the moment and not stress too much about the fact that Vanessa was jumping on headstones (I REALLY tried to keep her off).

Or that she was trying to drink out of the hose spicket

because the drinking fountain was not working, not even for Andrew

despite the fact that I brought a bottle of water for them.

And I just had to laugh when we were walking back to the car and she turned back around to the people still at the cemetery and yelled 'bye' like they were all there for her and she needed to say proper goodbyes.

I'm grateful for this change in perspective and for Jim Peterson and the marvelous life he lived and what a wonderful example he was to me and everyone who was lucky to know him.