A week spent scurrying around, last minute details, preparing memories for our children – didn’t leave me much time to blog about the holiday chaos…which is the very thing I should be blogging about. Now, at one-something in the morning on what’s technically the day after Christmas, I find my fingers drawn to this keyboard. I want to share with you all the details of today’s energy – shrills of joy, the laughter of little children as their imaginations take over their new toys, the excitement of tweenagers learning how to use their new cell phones, and the unaccompanied musical talents of teenagers singing along to music only they can hear in their new MP3 players. It was a great day. For me anyway…
Still, with all the blessings literally swirling around me…my heart was burdened. Heavy for a family without their husband and father on a Christmas that would have also been his 40th birthday. My thoughts drifted, all day, to the wife…probably because I can relate to her the most. I’ve never met her. I pray for her often. Lavaell was a good friend of my husband’s – during their high school years. I’ve never met him either, don’t even recall ever hearing his real name until his passing. When speaking fondly of his high school crew, Tony always called him Bam Bam.
A few weeks ago, he was living his life – just like we do everyday. Going to work, playing with his kids, kissing his wife, eating his lunch, sleeping in his bed, watching TV, talking on the phone, updating his Facebook status, and then…HE WAS GONE. Just like that – gone. I know that no one is promised tomorrow but, dang. How can this be hitting so close to home when I didn’t even know him?
This is why:
Because my husband was at our dinner table tonight. He played with our kids and their new toys today. He watched his Lakers play on the TV. He kissed me on Christmas, and he held my hand. I got to see him smile. Hear him laugh. Smell his neck. He is asleep in the bed behind me right now and in just a minute…I will crawl in next to him and feel his warmth. God willing, when I wake up to tomorrow’s light – my husband will open his eyes as well.
That is why.
Please join me in continued prayer for Michelle Price and her four children. Today must have been an impossible day for them. Count your blessings always, even when it’s those very blessings that are stressing you out. Because you just never know…
Merry Christmas and Happy 40th birthday, Bam Bam. RIP.
