Almost there . . .

It's Saturday morning, September 4th, and the house is quiet. My kiddos are next door at my parents' house to allow uninterrupted cleaning and packing. Nathan and I have been working diligently over the last three days to get the house ready for the Bryans who will be house sitting for us. As is always the case, this kind of deep cleaning is a humbling experience. Just earlier in the week, I took four bins of unneeded kids clothes to the local consignment sale. Then, Nathan has taken out five lawn bags of trash just in 48 hours. HOW DID WE ACCUMULATE SO MUCH STUFF? How did my house get so junky? How can I ever complain or want for anything? We are SO blessed. Also today, I am hugging my family a little tighter. A daddy, husband, son, and friend was killed in a helicopter accident he was piloting. I'll always remember watching the early morning news reports of the accident (prior to the victims' names being released) and telling Nathan that it might have been Kenny on the flight. I went to school with Kenny, and Nathan has had his wife Angie in class. Then, reality hit as I read condolences on Angie's Facebook page. I realized once again how fleeting life is . . . although a somewhat sensational end to a precious life, I know it is more likely that my family will be in a car accident on the way home from school. How could I ever grumble or complain about my lot in life? May Kenny's life continue to be a testament to all that is right and good. So, as I write today in the midst of my travel preparations, I am so thankful for life, for my family, for my dear friends, for my abundant material blessings, for our health, and for a God who makes it all possible.