Yesterday evening she asked me, “Could we jump on the trampoline together tomorrow?”
I’m not much of a trampoline person — especially now that I’ve had kids and my bladder isn’t what it once was! — but it was a simple request and I told her yes, of course we could.
I put it on my daily list for today so that I wouldn’t forget and I’m so glad I did because it was one of the first things she talked about when she got up this morning.
“Mom! You remember what we’re going to do this afternoon, right?”
I showed her that it was right there on my list for the day and she just beamed.
We went about the morning: chores, projects, tasks, to-do’s. We have a busy week this week with filming for my book launch tomorrow, mid-year meetings with my executive team on Thursday, an event in San Diego on Saturday, and then gearing up for our fall schedule to begin next Monday.
So I had extra tasks today and was feeling just a little bit frazzled over everything that needed to get done. I had a chiropractic appointment and some errands to run this afternoon and was looking forward to a few hours of quiet by myself.
But as I got ready to go, she asked me if she could go with me. I could tell that the extra time with Mom would be really good for her — especially since I knew the rest of this week was going to be full.
So, I set aside my plans for some quiet time, and told her that if was was ready to leave in 15 minutes, she was welcome to come.
She excitedly hopped in the car with me and her enthusiasm never waned the entire afternoon. She was talkative, all smiles, and just kept mentioning how much she loved being with me.
When we got home, we worked together on pulling weeds from the gardens, cleaning out the car and garage, and finishing up some projects around the house. We laughed and joked as we worked and we got a lot done in a short amount of time.
I had some business projects I really needed to finish so I was just about ready to open up my laptop and get started on them, when she came up to me with a big grin on her face and said, “Are you ready??”
I had to think for a second to figure out what she was referring to and then I remembered my promise to jump on the trampoline with her. Honestly, at that point, I was just ready for some peace and quiet and to charge through the rest of my business and blogging to-do list for the day.
But I knew that she’d been looking forward to our trampoline time all day long, so I mustered up some excitement and enthusiasm and went out to jump on the trampoline.
We ended up having such a fun time. We laughed. We chased each other around. We played Crack the Egg. We tried to out-do each other in various jumps. And I got in a really great workout for the day.
After my 33-year-old body had gotten thoroughly worn out, I told her I was going to head inside. She said, “Thanks so much for playing with me!”
And then I went inside and saw this devastating news on Facebook.
And my heart went into my throat.
I have known Paul and Tiffany through blogging for many years. They’ve shared many deals with me that I’ve posted here, Tiffany has guest-posted here, and Paul has helped us with compiling the Walmart deals for a long time.
I’ve not ever met them in real-life, but I feel like I know them through their blogs and through our email interactions.
And there are no words to describe just how much I hurt for them.
We never, ever know what tomorrow holds. Don’t wait until it’s too late to say those “I love you’s”, to take time to play with your kids, to ask forgiveness, to be a “yes” mom, to jump on the trampoline, to set aside the to-do lists to be present… live each day as though there might not be a tomorrow.
P.S. If you would like to help Paul and Tiffany, there are a few different ideas of ways to do that here.
Rachel says
Your post was so fitting, as we are dealing with another loss in our family (my cousin’s kid). I try SUPER hard to enjoy my five kiddos as much as possible. In the past year we’ve dealt with many loses. Babies, 5yr old, 40yr old, couple 90yr olds, and my Grandmother. Prayers for this family too.
http://jonespearson.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?user_id=1640018
Kelly Hess says
Last night my middle son was not feeling well and was laying on the couch. He asked if I could lay with him and I said I had to put his sister to bed. Once she was asleep I normally go out for my nightly walk. I was all ready to go and he asked again if I could lay with him. I really wanted my walk, I really cherish that 1/2 of quietness. I hesitated and then took off my shoes and we cuddled on the couch for 1/2 hour instead, priceless!
Laura says
I lost my dad this year.. He passed away on a Wednesday and since he lived out of town, I had planned to visit him that Thursday. My broken heart has prompted me to say yes more to my children, to make up quicker with my husband and to be more gracious to myself.
Heather N says
Oh, my heart breaks for them!!!
Uma @ Centsible Indian says
So sad to hear the heartbreaking news. Parenthood is tough and needs a lot of patience than what we have. But at the end it’s worth it. Those little souls grow fast and making memories along the way is what makes it more beautiful.
Jana says
My heart is so sad! Tiffany is the only blogger that I have ever gone to see in person. Praying for this family today!
Jean McKinney says
Well said – prayers for the family –
Kariane says
Indeed. Life is precious and fragile. Thank you for the reminder to embrace each moment.
My heart goes out to Tiffany and Paul.
Alisha says
I was just watching Tiffany on Periscope the other day. I’m so sad for her and the rest of the family. Thank you for this post and reminder that we never know what the day holds.
Lora says
Yesterday when I got to work I picked up the newspaper and read that the 17 year old son/grandson of some friends was killed in a car accident. It reminded me of how fragile life is and of the fact that we are not promised tomorrow. My heart breaks for the families that are enduring the loss of their children. So glad that they have faith and know that they will see them again one day. Praying for strength, peace and comfort for them.
Deana says
Praying for them. We are four years into this horrible pain. Please feel free to share my email address with them if they need to talk.
Jennifer@TheIntentionalMom says
I had the same reaction when I read the news on Facebook. Through reading her blog for years, I really feel like I “know” so much about her and her family. I, too, cannot imagine what they are going through.
As a newer blogger, it is amazing to “know” her a bit in a behind the scenes sort of way a bit, and, I am again in awe at how close-knit the blogging community is just as that was clear with the death of Crystal’s husband over at MrsHappyHomemaker.
I won’t be jumping on a trampoline today, but I will be enjoying some fun on the lake with my husband and kids while my never-ending to-do list stays inside 🙂
Thanks for helping us keep things in perspective!
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
Yesterday my 3yr old climbed up in my lap but as 3yr olds do, she was all knees and elbows and wouldn’t sit still. I was about to tell her not to climb on Mommy when the news showed a story of a 4yr old boy who just died that afternoon in a car accident. I definitely decided that I could handle a few knees and elbows. I recently had a miscarriage so maybe I’m just focused on how short of a time we really have our children but my perspective certainly has changed.
Jen says
That is awful. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child.
On a lighter note, don’t take a weak bladder due to having 3 kiddos as the status quo. I work in physical therapy, and I can tell you there are many great therapists who work in women’s health that can help with this issue. I don’t work in that area, but I work with the elderly (BTW, 33 is most definitely not old, that’s even younger than me!) and I’ve been able to successfully help their incontinence issues.
Alaina says
Yes Jen! My husband is a physical therapist and there have been several people who have come to him with planned bladder surgery and have later cancelled it. There is lots you can try!
Tamara says
Amen.
Chris Muller says
Ugh… That’s awful. My heart goes out to that family. You’re right… we focus so much on planning for the future that we sometimes forget to live in the present. We take too much for granted and don’t appreciate enough in the moment. Great post – and what a reality check.
Emily says
Life is so precious. Prayers of comfort and healing for the family.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~Psalm 73:26