LIFE IN BETWEEN

   We all have days, weeks, hours, moments where we are pulled in different directions, away from where we wish to be. Parents are trying to coordinate work, school, activities for their children. Single parents, with hearts pulled to spend more time with their children, feel conflicted while trying to provide for their family. Volunteers, who spend countless hours serving, helping, nurturing, many in our hospitals, churches, shelters, across the city, state, nation, feel pulled between making the world a better place, and the sacrifice of time away from family. How can we resolve our conflicted hearts?
     "Life in between" is the authentic part of life, the place where we live. It is the seconds and moments that comprise our lives, the ones we overlook so many times. We shoot for the big picture, the grand moments, the promotions, the celebration, the wedding, the vacation, the awards. Life is being lived in between, in small glimpses. Sometimes, in trying for the big picture, we are missing the heart moments, where our souls are replinished. Sometimes, it is circumstances.which we have no control over, that cause us to miss so many heart moments! Hence, we feel like Lily, in the image.
  Realizing our pain of being absent from our family, our daughter recently surprised us with a priceless gift. She began to send early a.m. e-mails with a picture attached.  As she gets 3 children off to school, and before leaving for work, she sends a snapshot of our grandchildren. We are able to see our 7 yr. old grandson in his first football uniform. Another day, a shot of him sleeping, after he ran 250 yards during the game, (his caluculation.) We could see the granddaughters washing one another's hair, and all the other little things of life in between.
   We get to see a glimpse of what is going on 20 miles away. Hearts are attached, remaining connected in absence, fulfilling our deepest desires of giving and receiving love. It is a personal gift, no words needed. The shots are not going to hang on a wall or be posted for public consumption.  They are typical glances into a family's everyday life, the in between moments of ones we love so deeply.
  There is no better surprise for someone whom you love and loves you. Whether they are next door, down the street, across town, in another city, related, not related, why not surprise them with a personal shot of an "in between" moment in your life. They have "I love you" written all over them.
"Service that's fed by humility is the forgotten truth that reinvigorates life. Instead of taking from others, it gives. - Melvin Cheatham