Share Love. Take Pictures. Make Memories.
Love is forever; life is fleeting
During the summer last year, my granddaughter brought her best friend, Cami, to our cabin twice, each time for a week. As 7-year-old neighbors, they shared everything: toys, hugs, food and me. I became Grandma to one more.
During our vacation, Cami’s father worked 12 hour shifts. As a single father, he labored to create a stable home for his two daughters. To financially provide for their needs and wants, overtime was mandatory.
I remember Fourth of July celebrations when our families combined the fireworks and gathered in the front yard. Tim always wore a baseball cap, a tank top and baggy shorts. He became the ringmaster of the night as he orchestrated the order of events and lit off one firework after another.
Tim was the life of the party. He played hard and worked harder. So when our family vacationed at the cabin, Cami joined us for extended periods of time. Her and her father made a point to text and talk often, each time ending the conversation by saying, “I Love You.”
One afternoon the girls made nature art. Images of animals, trees, and people made from leaves, rocks, basically anything within reach. Art covered the driveway. The girls borrowed my iPhone to snap pictures of their masterpieces. Cami texted several to her father. He often responded with emojis of hearts and smiley faces. They shared a deep, genuine love.
In September of 2019, approximately one year ago, Tim unexpectedly passed away in the middle of the night. His ex-wife and mother of the his daughters, moved into their home to help the girls and supported them through the trauma. A few months later they moved to a new home across town.
Change is a constant in life. What tomorrow brings remains an uncontrollable mystery; however, we can control and appreciate the present by living life to the fullest, sharing love with family and friends.
This year on the Fourth of July, we missed Tim and Cami, but the show must go on, and it did. We filled the night sky with colors, the neighborhood with laughter and each other with compassion. At one point, we took of moment of silence and then lit off an extra big firework in Tim’s memory.
Recently, I came across the picture at the top of this page when clearing my iCloud account, a snapshot of the piece of nature art Cami made and sent to her father. It will remain in my album as a reminder of the importance of sharing our love daily because love is forever and life is fleeting.
Take a moment to share your love with someone today.
RIP — Tim
