Since last Friday, life looks different. It's more fragile; it's more sacred.
Since last Friday, it’s become a gift to hold a hand.
Since last Friday, I’ve seen a person's most valuable possessions fit inside a small, wooden box. The items inside are not of monetary value, but sentimentally, they are priceless.
Since last Friday, I witnessed a 13-year-old girl eagerly fill her grandfather’s glass to quench his parched lips so she could hear more stories, listening intently so those stories would not be lost forever.
Since last Friday, I witnessed a ten-year-old girl carry her guitar through the airport telling everyone who asked, “I’m traveling to sing for my grandpa.” And when she sang, his eyes glistened as she gave him her whole heart.
Since last Friday, I saw tears leak from a tired man’s eyes. “These are tears of joy,” he assured me. He'd just blessed me with messages I will pass on when it was time to gather and remember him.
Since last Friday, I've learned it’s best to fill most of our plate with love, wasting no precious space on anger, impatience, and regret. In the end, it is love that will sustain us when we lose our appetite.
Since last Friday, I've called my parents; I've thanked a dear friend; I've prayed on my knees; I’ve savored a donut; I’ve kissed my baby niece as many times as she'd let me; I’ve felt the pain of a tiny blister and a pain too big to explain.
Since last Friday, I haven't been able to get warm; I've missed the sunshine. I hope I get to see it today.
Since last Friday, life has changed.
My family nearly made time stand still in a little blue house where loved gathered to walk a beloved man home.
Today I’m left wondering how long it will take the blisters to heal.
But I know we’ll carry each other when the pain is too much to bear,
Just as we have since life took an unexpected turn last Friday.
I won’t forget what I’ve learned since then.
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Dear friends of the Hands Free Revolution, my family feels so fortunate we decided to pull the girls out of school to spend time with Scott's father last weekend. We'd been told we had a few months with him, but we only had days. Our final weekend with Grandpa Ben was a gift. He called it that too. Avery asked Grandpa Ben, “Is there anything you want me to know about you?” GB said, “You have always been in my heart, and you always will be.” Those words are helping her now, helping us all. Yesterday my family walked through the airport, my daughter’s guitar strapped to her back once again. She is playing at her grandpa’s Celebration of Life service, and I am speaking. We are not afraid. He is with us.
In the midst of this difficult time, I had to go to Canada to do several media interviews for my new book ONLY LOVE TODAY. My heart was broken — but my husband sent me a text that said, “I know you will rock these shows and spread the message my dad wore on his wrist since his diagnosis.” My husband gave my pain a purpose. I pulled it together, and here is one of those interviews. I hope it reaches someone today. It’s never too late to stop managing life and start living a life of love.
ONLY LOVE TODAY is now a USA TODAY and Publisher's Weekly bestseller! This book is having an immediate impact on those reading it. Pick up a copy at Target, Barnes & Noble, LifeWay, or Amazon. Thank you for the love and support. It is making a difference.
Rachel, thank you for coming here to share your life and your wisdom and your beautiful daughters and THEIR wisdom. I’m so sorry for your loss, and so glad for you all to have been there together. Peace and rest to you all.
Thank you, Leanne. That means so much.
Avery always seems to know exactly what to say. What a wise old soul she is.
So sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Kimmy. You are so kind.
My deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss, and my deepest admiration for your ability to find the gifts that this great loss has brought you all. I know you will treasure them and add them to your armor of love as you go through life.
Danette
That’s so touching, Danette. Thank you.
Rachel, I’m so sorry for your loss. And so happy that you had the time with your dad: to talk, to cherish and to receive messages to pass on. And that Avery got to play and sing for him. What a wonderful memory for her. — Thank you for sharing this very personal moment with us.
Will keep you and your family in my prayers, Rachel. Hold on to those loving moments you had with your Dad. They will get you through this.
LaVern
Rachel, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss… it must have felt shocking the way it happened so quickly! What a blessing that Grandpa Ben was surrounded by loved ones in those final days. I love how you said, it is best to fill our plate with love. These are the moments that really matter. Hugs to you and your precious family.
Sending you all love and comfort during this difficult time. I appreciate your ability to find beauty & focus on love during a dark & difficult stage of life. Thank you for sharing and reminding us all that it is all about Love!
Sweet friend, I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending a very big hug your way. Grandpa Ben said it best, really – the people who we love are always in our hearts and always will be. <3
Rachel, I am so sorry for your families loss. I’m going to say a prayer for you and your family. I wish I had better words to bring you comfort. Sending hugs.
Rachel, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I felt chills reading your words. I am so glad you followed your heart and took your girls out of school so that they could spend one last time with their grandpa. As a fellow educator had been reminding me, “If doesn’t feel right, it’s not right. If it feels right, it is right.”
Thank you for sharing your very personal story. I am so sorry for your loss, but I really admire how you have found the gifts that this great love has brought you, as someone else has eloquently stated. Sending love to comfort you and your family.
Rachel, you write with heartfelt depth. Thank you.
What could I write to ease your pain at the loss of a dear farther and father in law and a grandfather . There are no words.
Your post spoke to me in so many ways. Wishing you and your family much comfort in these heart wrenching times. I lost my father last month on March 25th and this moved me. I just came across your post in my feed today when I really needed to read something beautiful. Thank you and wishing you much strength.
Thank you, Elsie. Sending you love and strength too.
I just find your blog and this article makes me cry a lot. I know how you feel. I loss my dear father on March 10, 2017… Friday.
Since that day, Fridays are hard for me, specially yesterday. I don’t feel I can’t write anything on my blog after that, this encourage me. Much love and Peace.
Sending love and healing prayers. My hand is reaching out to yours. Bless you, dear one.