Since it will be a year on October 31, since Austin went to be with Jesus, I decided to give a brief recapturing each day of these last days that our family was blessed with Austin’s sweet presence. I am wiping tears as I write this and I know the emotions that we felt right after his passing will continue to get stronger these next few days. But we believe that God can use the painful things we experience in life to touch a heart that is maybe growing “cold” or is needing to re-adjust some priorities…..

It is a beautiful picturesque fall day here in North Carolina. As Alisha and I were driving home from her violin lesson this afternoon, my mind was flooded by a mirage of bittersweet memories of this Wednesday exactly a year ago. It was a gorgeous day almost identical to today and Austin, Alisha, baby Kyra and I were also on the way home from Austin and Alisha’s violin lessons. I had to stop for a few errands and Austin was doing something on his laptop instead of wanting to be in the driver’s seat this time. He was teasing me about making him starve and then hinting to me about the Taco Bell that we would be conveniently passing on our way home! I told him that because I love him so much and because they had to wait on me, I would treat them to Taco Bell. I still have that receipt and it is a special reminder of that day and how we will never regret even the “little special things” that we do for our children. I would have never dreamt that this would be the last time that I would have the privilege of buying something for my dear son. Only God knew that Austin only had these last four days on this earth.

If you knew you only had four days left with one of your loved ones, how would you treat them differently or how would you prioritize the time you are spending with them. Maybe you would want to tell them “sorry” about an attitude you had or maybe tell them just one more time how much you love them and what they mean to you. The regrets you will have are the things that don’t cost you anything…just your time!

-Cindy