Beautiful Life

Life is beautiful. The twists the turns the unexpected dips into valleys of uncertainty that make us climb the mountains of discovery to reach the vistas and sunsets of life. It is all worthwhile, part of God’s plan, beautiful.

I just received a call from a friend, who acted on her own spontaneity, and God’s prompting to talk to me about friendship, experiences we laugh about that bring us closer, and the struggles that make us stronger. What wisdom! I reflect on our conversation throughout my morning.

I head downstairs to hear the music blasting, girls dancing to Black-Eyed-Peas, with smiles on their faces. The joy and laughter is contagious. I open kitchen windows to allow the fresh air to mingle with the smell of pancakes just made. The music shuffles to Taylor Swift and three girls begin acting out the words of her song. Hannah runs over to give me a bear hug, jumping into my arms to say, “I love you.”

I smile as I back away, watch for a while, sing with them, then go back upstairs. This fills me up to capacity. The love in my heart is complete. Whatever else the day is supposed to unfold will happen in part because I follow the path I am called to follow.

Today we will attend a memorial for a friend, the first person to bring me information about Down syndrome. All I see is her smiling face when I think of her. She will always remain in my heart as that first smiling face, that first positive interaction that life will be beautiful, raising your child with Down syndrome.

Life is what we make of it. If we share the best we have to offer each day, even if it is that best five minutes we squeak out to someone else, so be it. Refresh your soul and mind. Retreat to quiet and sleep if the need comes over you, but take the time to clear your mind and the beauty will come again. The gorgeous beauty of each new day will present itself.