279 Days to Go - "I Want to Hold You"

Ever since my 14-year-old daughter was very young, she would reach her little arms up to me and say "I want to hold you!" To this day whenever she is not feeling well, she will come and lay her head on my shoulder and say it again. I too, have gone "home" to see my parents for the solace that only they can give me. Parents and children, what a wonderful and unique bond. When nurtured from youth, it blossoms into wonderful relationships as we age. My parents, now both in their 70's, are amazing examples to me of love and friendship,  of devotion to each other, of commitment. They have been married over 50 years. They were childhood sweethearts, and as they say ... they still are.

May I take advantage of the information shown me by my children on the one side and my parents on the other. Great stores of knowledge and experiences they all have had. It shows me more and more that we are all in this thing called life together for a reason. I love my family. I love the comfort and care each person in our family receives old and young. I am grateful for what I have learned and will yet learn from each of you. Glad to be Granddaughter, Daughter, Wife, Mom, Nother Mother, and Nana ~ yes, Sister, Niece, and Cousin too, I see how we influence each other. Have I not looked long at the bigger picture before? Did I not see the forest because I was only looking at the trees?

In gratitude for all, I look up to our Heavenly Father with arms out-stretched I plead,
"I want to hold You."