Rock-a-Bye Baby

Today I rocked my baby to sleep for one of her afternoon naps (yes, she still takes 3 naps a day!).  If you've tuned into Paul's and mine parenting habits, you'll know that we don't usually rock Mary Frances to sleep.  We want her to be able to soothe herself to sleep.  Nine times out of ten, she prefers to fall asleep in her crib anyways.  However, today I took advantage of a rare opportunity to rock my sweet girl to sleep.

Most of you know that I am a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse.  Last week, on Tuesday, I sent a little girl home from the hospital on hospice.  On Friday, she died at home surrounded by her loved ones and was buried on Monday.  One thing I have learned working in this field is that life cannot be taken for granted.  Experiences like the one I mentioned always lead me to a period of reflection.  Now that I have a child of my own, my reflection is very different than it was before.  Psalm 39:4 - 5 says:

4 “O Lord, make me know my end

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am!

5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,

and my lifetime is as nothing before you.

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! 

None of us know what tomorrow will bring.  We are not promised health or tomorrow, just today, just the moment we have in front of us.  So today I took advantage of the moment;  of holding my healthy baby girl, rocking her to sleep and loving her the best I can.  I challenge each of you to live in the moment you have been given.  To celebrate and take advantage of today and to "love good" the ones nearest and dearest to your hearts.