Every once in a while, I catch glimpses of heaven. My heaven looks like warm autumn days, when you see scenes like this, and you pause to think how glad you are that you decided to go for a walk so you could be in the right place at the right time to see and wonder at the beauty of God's creations.
Heaven is letting little boys run and play for as long as they want. It's soaking in those moments of their childhood that you know won't last, but you're so happy to be a part of. It's remembering how it feels to be them -- carefree, young, happy, when your only job is to play and have fun.
It's taking a step back from life's daily routine and stopping to appreciate the magnificent beauty around you. It's going on a traditional family outing and remembering why you love that tradition so much.
It's those photo ops that surprise you with how great they turn out and how happy that picture and that memory makes you. It's being able to freeze with your camera that age and stage of your child's life that you just love and wish could last forever. It's seeing in a photo all the happiness and hope and goodness you cherish about your child and wanting them to know exactly how proud and full of love you feel toward them.
Heaven is Daddy with his sweet son.
And Mom with another. It's also in a meal you didn't have to prepare :), and a tradition that reminds you of loved ones long gone, and the few moments you spend over your chicken picnic getting to tell all about your Papa, how generous and good he was, and how much you miss him.
It's splashing rocks in the river and being amazed how long it holds their attention.
It's having a great time doing something so simple and wondering why you don't do things like this more often.
Heaven is little boys you hope will always be best buddies, just like they are now.
Heaven is in those moments that might not be Christmas-card worthy but stay in your heart forever as the moments of your life that remind you what really matters. It's the memories you hope your kids will remember forever, because you know you will.
Heaven is in the simple things. It can't be bought. It's quiet. It's lighthearted. It's warm and happy and good. Heaven doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, I always wish it would stay just a bit longer. One of the things I love most about being a mom is that I get to help make heaven for my family. I get to open my children's eyes to the beautiful world God made for them. I get to say "enough" to the swirling worldly commotion around us and take time out for just us. I get to facilitate memory-making and tradition keeping. Together with my kind husband, I get to make sure that we cherish each other as a family and do those things together that will keep our family strong. Because heaven without a single one of us just wouldn't be heaven.
I hope my life will always be filled with moments of heaven.
