holiday homework?

Heartbreaking. Sobering. Enlightening.

Although the kids are out and about and school's not in session for the Christmas season, there is always plenty of lessons to be learned outside of the classroom.

This holiday break is no exception.

Although a brief respite from work/school, I've picked up on and am reminded of lessons learned and forgotten.

Over the course of this short break, I have made trips to the children's hospital and to the cemetery, in the same day. If that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will. Leaving such places, as expected, has brought to mind old lessons that bear repeating; life is precious, life is fleeting, life is hard, life is beautiful. I hope these lessons continue to stick with me.

Seeing a child/baby in the hospital is worrying, but seeing a child/baby who is related to you in the hospital is unsettling. What crosses one's mind if one's own child is in that situation, I cannot fathom this quite yet. Prayers are all I can offer in these kinds of situations.

I've been to cemeteries so often, they seem like any establishment one would normally visit, like the grocery store. But visiting one always, as it should, reminds me of my own mortality. On having to visit on official business, not attending a funeral related, I got to see another side of the funeral business that I was not aware of, the sale of vaults. Unexpectedly, I found the posters advertising the types of vaults and how they are customizable to be HILARIOUS. Don't get me wrong, death is a serious matter, but I couldn't help but laugh at this establishment's advertisements. I'm terrible, I know.

It's been said that God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. Here's to me laughing at all the parts, both at the appropriate and inappropriate times. Hope He doesn't get too mad.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention this tidbit, in light of all this talk about sickness and death. I am also reminded of Someone who was born whose mission was to die.

p.s. Merry Christmas!!!