Cherish Your Loved Ones

One more year. That's the news I heard today...one more year. I accompanied my 12-year old daughter to her cardiology checkup. As a child born with a congenital heart defect and living with an implanted heart valve, this is at minimum an annual event. She had her cardiac MRI on Monday, and today was the day to get the results from the cardiologist. She will eventually need surgery or heart cath to replace the valve.

We sat in the car outside the clinic and prayed together. We asked God to "give us one more year". That was the desired outcome. "Come back in a year."  Fortunately, after a bit of worrying and waiting, that was the answer we got! Our prayers were answered!

Today was yet another reminder of the absolute most important thing we are here on this planet to do. It's to love and cherish the people in your life. The following quote is from my book, Miracle of Belief.

I wrote that passage during a time in our journey that we did not know if our daughter would recover and be well again. It's in those moments that you just want to kick yourself for not paying attention and cherishing the times that you had.

Today's events also reminded me to think with greater clarity about the goals I've set for myself and for my family. I asked myself, where do I see myself one year from now. If Ashley needs that valve replaced one year from now, what do I need to do to prepare our family. What do I need to do to prepare myself to be able to be fully present for her when that time comes.  And I realized it starts with being present NOW!

Cherish your loved ones and the moments you have. You may be creating memories that you will cherish forever.

"Love cures people, the ones who receive love and the ones who give it, too."~ Karl A. Menninger

Love and Prayers,
Sondra