Today my dad came and picked up Leah to take her to "Grandparents Day" at her preschool and then out to lunch. This was an unusual opportunity since Grandma is out of town, it was just Leah and my dad.
And when my dad arrived and got out of his car, Reese went running towards him with her arms outstretched and yelled "Pa!!!!!". And she let him hold her and she nuzzled right into his shoulder.
Now , to anyone else this would have been "cute" or something, but knowing that my dad is in his mid 70s and is accompanied with the aches and pains of being a little older, I thought of a million things. i thought of how my time with my dad is limited. Even if he lives to be 90, that is only 15 years, which is nothing. I thought of how they love their Grandpa but I am so excited for them to appreciate the person that he is and all that he has done in his life. To explain that he was a star athlete and an outstanding student and how fast he could throw a baseball when he was in his prime. I thought of how he was receptive to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and joined the Church because he was just a good person who wanted to do what was right and wanted his kids to have the Gospel. I thought of how freaking smart he is and still, to this day, i love to pick his brain. I love love love my dad and I am so grateful that he lives close by. I realized that the last 15 years of my life have flown by and in a way, i expect every one else to stay as they are, especially my parents. I DO NOT like the fact that they age too! Isnt that silly?
But the reality is that my family is eternal and that even when we pass on, EVENTUALLY we will be together. I am so grateful for this knowledge. It makes the pathway bright and eases any uncertainty. So for now, i will just be grateful.
