Live with Intention

There is something special about the days you have at home, once you've become what I call a "Hospital Family". We have spent so many days, weeks, months, in hospital, missing out on daily life, on routine, on sacred family moments, that when we're home, even if it isn't for very long, we make the most of every waking second. We're more patient, we're more kind, quicker to forgive, and more giving with our love. We know how blessed we are for every moment we get to have as a family, at home.

Time together is something people so often take for granted. People spend their time "together", in the same physical space, but so disconnected from each other, as one person watches tv, the other is on the computer, one kid is playing something and the baby sleeps. You don't know how much you miss when you can count on being "together" every day. You miss so many moments, thinking you've got time, you'll get to it later. You miss so many special times that make your heart skip a beat, and your breath catch.

I spent every moment today with my children. From the moment Ellie woke up, to the moment J went to sleep. I was there, I was present, I was focused on them. Because of this, I watched as J snuggled Ellie on the couch, lovingly wrapping an arm around her. I watched her reach out and pet his head, and saw the smile on his face as it tickled. I saw J catch bugs for his bug house, and argue with his father about bringing them inside the house. I put Ellie on the lawn, and for the first time she felt grass. I witnessed some of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen Ellie give. And today, it felt like my heart grew into a size I didn't know existed.

Ellie's favourite place in the house is by a window (any window!)

Ellie love J more than anyone else

And, lucky for all of us, he loves her just as much!

There are never any guarantees in life. Anything could happen before the sun rises on tomorrow. Tonight, I go to sleep knowing that I lived every moment of today with love, and with intention.