leaving & leaves

I have been forced lately to think bout things
things that mean a lot in life
the little things that we never think about
those things we all just take for granted
like those around me knowing how much they mean
that they know what i would do for them if called to task
that they must know how much i love them
appreciate their impact on my life & the life of my boys

Doug's uncle died suddenly this week while in Denver
on a trip with Doug's dad.
a life altering event for our family fer sure
without a thought
Doug flew out immediately to help his dad thru this
to collect him
to be with him
to try to repay him for all he has done for us
to ensure he knows we would
go anywhere
really do anything
for him.

we talked to the boys about the loss on the way to the airport
nick said simply "I will miss him...he was nice"
it got me thinking
I hope a kid will say that about me when I go

my step dad is super sick right now
took him the other day for blood transfusions to prepare him for some chemo this week
and had some time to just sit & wait
& think
while they were treating him
thought bout what he means to me
what he did for me over the years
all the dad things he did for me
that he really didn't have to do
but did them anyways
i got a chance to tell him i love him
how i appreciate all he has done
got to help him with some things he wanted to get in order
made me feel as if i was repaying him
if only slightly

i know life isn't about paying people back
but when you get a chance to affirm to someone else
how important they are
take it
it sure feels good inside

if you are reading this still
i want you to know that
you are important to me
please take a moment
to think about why
& know i am thankful

i will leave you with some pics of the boys
just playing
just havin fun
enjoying one another & the simplest of things
leaves