This Present Moment

My story is my own...

except it's not.

It's a tapestry of threads from other people...

a musical medley of highs and lows and crescendos and decrescendos as other people's stories intertwine.

My story cannot be told accurately without telling someone else's... but that's their story to tell.

We are all like that... as we go through our days here on earth, minute by minute, each moment building on the previous, until before we know it ten years have passed and we find ourselves wondering where it all went to.

They say that at the end of life, it'll flash before your eyes.

All of those important moments.

Me bouncing down Picnic Hill, balled up in the floorboard of the driver's door. I don't really remember it, but I can't help but think that integral moment will be one that I'll see. I'm pretty sure I'll see an angel covering me with wings, because there's no other explanation for how I came out unscathed.

Me standing on the red carpet at Kragon Free Pentecostal Church promising to love and cherish through the good times and bad... and haven't we had both of those... and I've not always loved or cherished...

A tiny wrinkly face squinting up at me, red-cheeked, squalling, probably a little angry that he had to face those bright lights. Love at first sight...

Standing behind the pulpit speaking about my Mamaw...and my Uncle Dennis... and my Papaws.

But also the small moments, too...

like visiting Bybee Pottery the morning after 9/11 with my Mom... the hush of  the world.

And laughing with Melody.

And seeing Kami graduate from college, my baby grown up.

Watching Riggins chase his tail in the living room.

Listening to my Dad sleep in his recliner.

Hearing Holly's belly laugh.

Watching Wheel of Fortune with Mamaw Bert.

Our infamous Clemons Clan pictures at Christmas time, even though I am probably the only cousin who enjoys them.

Memories of playing detective with Brandon and then later riding around in his truck when I couldn't yet drive but he could. 

Walking with Nana and watching Papaw William sit on the front porch.

Crossing the stage after that long and arduous journey to get my DNP.

All of the students... so many students... seeing them in ER and on Med-Surg and watching the beauty that happens when they go from being scared, knowing nothing, to literally saving lives.

The ocean and the hills and the sunrises and the sunsets...

Moment after moment...

And so many of them I take for granted.

Lord, as I write my story, help me not be so busy wondering what the next chapter will consist of that I take for granted this present moment.

This post is part of the write31 day series using Five Minute Friday free writes. Today's prompt was moment.For more posts in this series, visit this link.