Peace, Life and Moving Forward

Monday, Monday...

I am sitting here at my desk, taking a break from reading overload (not fun reading, actually reading for a class that I am taking), and wanted to share a few thoughts with those of you that know and love me. Monday is usually the start of a busy work or school week for most of us, and today didn't seem much different until right about now...

I spent an amazing week with my sister-in-law and nieces in Wisconsin last week. Not only was the week relaxing and restful and a nice break from the hectic city of Chicago, I came home with a new-found sense of peace. Yes, peace. Never have I been in a place that exudes such a calm and I have to say that it was the least place that I would have expected it to come from, especially regarding the loss of my brother and friend, David.

The last nine months have been a very long and winding road for our family, both as individuals and as a unit. Each one of us has our own family unit, and my brother left behind his family unit of two daughters and a wonderful wife, as well as sisters, brothers, our father, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, wonderful inlaws, a load of good friends, and a church family who loved him more than we can fathom. Being with the kids last week was refreshing, comforting, and actually a lot of fun! They have his sense of humor and his love of life. To see the three of them together, pressing on in the midst of change and learning to step forward and still embrace life, love, and one another is remarkable. I am ashamed for the down times I have spent missing my brother when I see their progress with each other and their surroundings. They have taught me to look forward with the grace and understanding that I think can only come from accepting the situation and finding the peace and goodness that has transpired since.

I wanted to share this in hopes of inspiring someone today. Live life fully, without regrets. Sometimes we don't get a second chance to right the wrongs on our path, so please try to life as wholly and full of love as possible. For each situation that we endure, there is someone else in this world that is suffering even more than us. In life, there will be death and grief. Our faith in God and our love for our family and friends can be a source of great strength to press on.

Smile at a stranger. Say please and thank you often. Help someone carry their groceries. Feel the warm spring breeze and sit in the sunshine for a few minutes during your lunch break. Be kind and gentle and you will too find the peace that I have recently found.