As Long As There Is 'Us'

Yesterday morning my mom, sisters and sister-in-laws gathered in a joyful celebration; a birthday...Happy birthday, Karen 🎂🌷(picture used with permission; photographer my sister, Lucy) (clickfor a record of some of the prayer requestsshared over the years for Karen and my brother Dave, her husband. We were each invited to bring approx. 6 stems of white, pink and/or purple flowers tocreate one big bouquet from all of us💗💜💗 Yesterday afternoon a community of mourners gathered(after a tragedy mentioned  and )to remember the life of a dearly beloved woman; a wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, neighbor, friend, mentor, counsellor, etc. to so many... Gatherings like this are a solemn reminder to all of 'us' to be more mindful (once again) of something we can easily take for granted; each other. As grieving friends and family sharedthere was a common theme; to choose, above all else-gratitude for the gift of her life and love they shared with her. As long as there is ‘us’; mom, dad, spouse, sister and brotherNeighbors, friends, both far and near, we have a gift; each otherNo two of us are quite alike, created tenderlyBy He who's written all our days before one comes to be As long as there is us, until that day when death doth partWe ought to live to love each other with all of our heartBecause life is a fragile thing; we cannot see how farFrom farewell’s fond and unrelenting, rending reach we are So then, let’s love each other without verbal fist-a-cuffLet’s recognize the gift of now, and make the most of loveBecause life grants no guarantees, let’s be patient and kindFor no one knows who next will leave love’s gaping hole behind As long as there is ‘us’ let’s write Our Story with love’s inkRather than take for granted what can be gone in a winkLet’s look each other in the eye and hold each other nearBefore the gift of ‘us’ frames joy in sorrow’s tender tear As long as there is ‘us’ let’s keep each other in our prayersLet’s make moments to cherish in the thick of common caresAnd be more humbly mindful of the gift we call todayThen, be a living ‘thank-you’ to the Giver, while we may © Janet Martin :16Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Yesterday evening this post (click link in title) from Ann Voskamp was in my inbox!Especially profound in the light of recent events...