Circle of Life!!

Yesterday was a day of reflection for me. Crill arrived at our front door at 7:00 a.m. for our drive to Lubbock. Ty and I along with Crill were going to support our dear friend Patti during the funeral of her father. 82 years on this earth, Zack Payton lived. He not only lived but he lived a full life. They showed lots of pictures and video of this dear man. I had only met him twice but I began to cry as I saw his life unfold on the screen. He loved his wife and his kids. He had a heart for God and he wanted to make a difference in the world he lived in. Everyday he put a smile on the faces of those around him. And even in his death he was putting a smile on the face of everyone in that little Baptist church. Following the funeral we had a bite to eat and then headed to the Lubbock Heart Hospital. Our good friend Max Clampitt was resting in the CCU unit recovering from a mild heart attack he had on Monday morning. 84 years old and ready to get back to Hobbs to his own bed. He adjusted himself several times as he tried to find a comfortable spot. He said the pillow was like laying his head on a piece of concrete. What a life this man has lived. He gives us words of wisdom every week in the Hobbs News Sun. He is an incredible historian with a couple of books to prove it. As he laid there and talked about this weeks experience, I thought about how much he still has to offer this world. He has given so much and he is not ready to stop now. Well, from there we headed back to Hobbs via Plains. Of course, we had to stop and get a Plains Watermelon. The season is almost over and I am so gonna miss this sweet, juicy fruit (vegetable, I'm not sure). We arrived at CJC only to drop Crill off and then head to Lea Regional Hospital. Yes, one more visit for the day. Only this one was a bit different. We walked in to room 206 and there was baby Gideon being held by his proud father Victor. Melissa and Victor Hernandez had their 3rd child and 1st boy. We were even blessed to be there when Nikki and Gwen (the sisters) arrived to meet their baby brother for the first time. It has only just begun for the Hernandez family. Many birthdays, camping trips, dance recitals and so much more is in their future. A beautiful way to end our day. We arrived back at home to two little boys who ran out to greet us as they saw our car come up the driveway. "Mommy", "Daddy", over and over again. Lots of hugs and kisses. Today we saw life come full circle. It just happened to start with death and end with birth. I was reminded that life is so short. Eighty years seems like a long time to live on this Earth. But it also seems like yesterday that I laid in that same bed as Melissa and held my first born. I'm reminded that it wasn't yesterday, it was 6 years ago. That is so hard for me to believe. So what is my point in this blog. Treasure each moment. Don't wish it away. Don't want something different or better. Just know that God has you where you are for a reason. He has those in your life because they need you and you need them. Love more, Laugh more, Live more. When the day comes that your friends and family gather in your home church to celebrate the life you lived, make sure they can say that you not only lived but you lived to the fullest.