Continuing On

In order for you to really absorb the beauty of the moment I am about to describe, it is important to understand the headspace Tim and I were in prior to this moment. When your vacation turns in to a literal emergency life saving experience in a foreign country your mind set alters drastically. I’m sure you can imagine that when you are dealing with such a situation, your default emotional space is to want to go home. Home where you feel confident. Home where all is familiar and safe. Home where you feel sheltered and protected. Home.

So, as you come out of the immediate emergency and into days of healing, it is still difficult to change your mindset. Surprisingly difficult! As you try to fill time with positive experiences, it continues to be a struggle to get your brain and emotions to do that mental flip.

So, this day I want to describe is so important because it is a day that was an absolute gift! A gift of hope and joy! Tim and I did a day trip to Monterosso last Saturday. It was the one town in Cinque Terre that was doable, without having to do uphills and stairs for the most part. The day was sunny and warm and when we arrived it was absolutely gorgeous! We enjoyed lunch looking out over the sea, sparkling sun on the water, boats lofting in the breeze, sunshine warm on our skin. It was a moment of pure, spectacular, joy!

I know I’ve talked about this before, but these moments of such tangible joy are incredibly meaningful. When we stop and feel them and let them seep into our souls, they provide such strength to us. These moments are gifts from God that are meant to sustain us. Tim and I may continue to cope with our frame of mind over the next few days but this pocket of sunshine God has provided will definitely help us along the way.

And in our journeys as parents grieving, we will also find that these moments of joy are what help us to keep going. The world is full of parents doing just that. Letting God’s gift of joy continue moving us forward.