Me: Asa, what does a horse say? Asa: Yee-haw!
My blog was a little quiet this weekend because we took a tour of South Georgia! My mother-in-law has like 6 brothers and sisters and every year they do a Thanksgiving family-reunion type get-together. Well, we haven’t been in several years and this year the party was before Thanksgiving so, we decided to go. The kids rode horses, golf-carts, jumped on the trampoline and more. They had so much fun at “Daddy’s cousins”!
Lydia and her 2nd cousins (?).
But before we headed to the family reunion, we made a detour to Savannah to visit Les’ grandmother. Remember, Les’ grandfather died a few months ago? Well, we wanted to check on his grandmother and just let her know we love her.
Asa “shooting” Granny Ann with a stick. I have no idea who taught him that.
We had a great time in Savannah. We ate at Mrs. Wilkes’, walked around River Street and then sat on Granny Ann’s couch and looked through old pictures. That’s my idea of a fun time!
Mrs. Wilkes. Oh, how I love thee!
It was a weird feeling to be at their house without Grandpa. The house felt cleaner, a little more girly and much much quieter. But what really got me was the idea that one day I’ll be in her shoes.
I know, it’s a weird thought. But it’s true.
Unless Jesus comes back in my lifetime, I will be in my 70’s at some point. Lydia and Asa will grow up. They will get married. They will have their own kids. Their kids will grow up. Our grandkids will come and visit us. They will look through our old pictures (of course, all mine will be on a computer…). Les and I will have to live through one of the other’s funeral. It is going to happen.
Asa and Lydia discussing Savannah’s architecture. I think.
That night while we were crowded into Granny Ann’s extra bedroom, Les and I talked in the dark about how this would one day be our lives. We talked about how the choices we make now will affect then. We talked about how we want to be healthy enough to play with our great-grandkids. How we want to make sure time doesn’t get away from us–we don’t want to get caught up in every day and not do the things we’d said we’d always do.
I think God makes our brains unable to focus on stuff like this for a long period of time–if we did, we’d go crazy. We’d live in a depressed state all the time. But I do think it’s good to think about it every once in awhile–to realize our life is like grass that withers and dies.
I heard Maria Bailey talk about her teenagers one time and say, “I always said we’d do all these things [go to DC, see a Broadway show, climb a mountain] and now I realize I only have 2 more years till she graduates. Time has gotten away! We have to do these things now!” {totally NOT a quote} I want to do the things I’ve always wanted to do with my kids–teach them the song, tell them the story, visit the place, introduce them to the food, have the experience, go on the trip! But it’s even more than just doing stuff for my kids–I’m talking about doing stuff that affects generations to come!
It’s not that life is short. We have plenty of years to do amazing things. And it’s not that I’m scared of dying. I look forward to heaven. I look forward to being with my family and friends that have already left this life. I believe like CS Lewis says in The Last Battle 
It’s just that I want to make the most of every opportunity. It’s about living an entire 80 or so years that honors God, that makes a difference and that has eternal significance. God put us in this place for an eternal reason–not just a finite number of years. Our lives will impact our children, their children and even beyond them for years to come! I don’t want to be frightened or overwhelmed by that idea, I want it to excite and inspire me!
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A big big happy welcome to Mimi’s Babies as our first ohAmanda sponsor! (You can see her adorable button on my sidebar—>) But what you really want to see is her adorable etsy shop! The cutest little baby items EVER–hats, booties, headbands, clippies, shirts and more. (You think Asa would wear this owl hat?) Remember, when you click my ads and visit my sponosrs you’re helping me give to people in need! This month we (yes, me, you and Mimi’s Babies) are giving a goat!
Oh, and the winners of the Tangled giftpacks? Kris, Kristie and Jennifer! Check your inbox, ladies!
I started thinking about that a lot when grandpa was dying. I still haven’t gotten over the fear part of it yet.
P.S. the pic of Asa on the horse is the cutest thing EVER!
So true!! The time just flies. Thanks for the reminder to cherish each moment while they are little. 🙂
love this. love you. thank you for writing this.
I think the realization hit when my Dad died. My first granddaughter, Ashlynn, had just been born. All I could think about was “The Circle of Life”. He’s gone, she is here, life goes on. It’s hard not to think how your life would change if you lost your spouse so I know his grandmother sees life in a different way now. Losing a family member is so hard, even though we know we will see them again one day. My fervent prayer though is that I not bury any of my children or grandchildren. Let us go in the order meant to be. Great reminder Amanda to cherish each and every day.
I think Justin was having just as much fun playing with Asa as Asa was having riding Buck!