In that moment I remembered. The last time I had held Jenna's hand was when she was taking her extra long snooze.
As all of us girls waited for our sweet friend and bride to emerge from the house in her white dress. We linked hand's tightly and attempted to shake off the October wind. As I stood next to my dear friend Jenna, it hit me. I realized the last time I had held her hand she had been napping which prompted a few tears to well in the corner of my eye.
Every day I am so thankful. But in that moment I was so thankful for God's healing power. Grateful for the power of prayer and hope.
A few years ago Jenna had a bad fall that literally landed her (from a helicopter) in the hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, with a traumatic brain injury. I can remember traveling up to Madison and celebrating small wins with her family. I vividly remember celebrating a wiggle of a toe and a bit of eye movement with celebratory cheese curds and a few Spotted Cows. I can remember the last time I'd held her hand, while she laid in that hospital bed, praying that God had more life planned for her.
Today we have our Jenna back. I sat and listened to her command a crowd just the other day as she eloquently, but sarcastically (of course), gave her maid of honors speech at our sweet Rylee's reception. (Rylee and I's friendship is a product of us both being Jenna's best friend and I know that she feels every word that I feel in this blog post.) I couldn't help but thank God for small reminders of the good life we have and what could have been.
If you listen hard enough God reminds you of the power in little things. I challenge you to take on every day and pay attention to the things we take for granted. Pay attention when you hold someones hand. Be present when you're having coffee with a friend. Take a mental picture of the sunset as you pass a farmer harvesting this fall. Invest in a real conversation when an old friend reaches out on social media.
You are what you choose to focus on. Now, by no means do I have it figured out, but I try choose to surround myself with humans who life me up (yes - "LIFE" me up not lift). Those who are powerful. Those who are confident. Those who have put in the work and those who will choose me no matter what.
Today I challenge you to live with more intent. Pay attention to the details. And most importantly tell the people you love how thankful you are for them. People like Jenna.
Thankful for you,
Karen
#54
"Focus on the good and the good gets better."
