Thomas went to bed annoyed with me because I didn't let him put on his own diaper before naptime.
Isaiah left for school today a bit disgruntled because he didn't have enough time to thoroughly enjoy his new Pokemon cards before it was time to get on the bus.
But they are here. They are happy. They are healthy. They are drawing breath and making messes. For just a moment more, they are mine.
How quickly that can all be snatched away.
The blogging community is an incredible thing and I have seen it happen time and time again where one of our own needs us and the rest of us rally. We drop what we are doing, get typing, sharing, tweeting, and most important of all - praying. Say what you will about the evils of the Internet and the danger of social media, but I have witnessed firsthand the power that it has to be used for good.
Of course, this is a double-edged sword. Because if the community is awake and moving, it is because it has been roused.
As I scrolled through my Instagram feed this morning, I saw a flood of photos of a darling red-headed little boy under the hashtag #redballoonsforryan and I read the story of Ryan Cruz Saldana, the three year old son of a Californina blogger mom named Jacqui. On Friday, the family was playing outside in the yard at a family member's house when Ryan went to retrieve a Frisbee that had flown into the street and was struck by an oncoming truck. He died at the scene.
How many times have I held my breath as my kids cross the street?
Hollered at Isaiah to pleasefortheloveofGod LOOK BOTH WAYS when he rides his bike only to watch him dart out right in front of a red truck that thankfully saw him in time to stop.
Reminded Micah to play in the driveway or on the sidewalk only to turn around and see him picking up something from the middle of the road and pop it in his mouth.
Or the time we were rear-ended on the way to church, leaving our van totaled but my children uninjured.
I have been seconds away from their heartbreak, but we have been spared. Why they should be chosen to bear this burden, I will never know.
But the sisters of the blogging world have been at work and they have been rallying around this family. If you feel compelled to read more of their story and perhaps donate to support them in this time, check out Thrive Moms - a site run by loving women of high integrity. Please pray for comfort and for God to draw near to this family in this time of unspeakable pain.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
Our prayers are with you, Jacqui and Dan.
(All photos from @babyboybakery on Instagram)
