Reminders...

This is Chip after he had been in the hospital for nearly a week after our incident in July '01. I was looking through some photos this weekend ("old photos"...the ones we have actually printed out from our film camera days) =) and that same day I got an email from Chip. It was short and sweet; really simple.
But the combination of that note and this picture struck me in a profound way and made me realize that I needed a reminder. Maybe you need the same one, which is why I am posting it here. That reminder is how often I miss opportunities to tell people around me how much I love and appreciate them in my life. Or even simply forget to look at how fortunate I am from day to day.
I feel like I do a pretty good job of loving my life and the people around me- but then again I know there is always room for improvement. It takes little effort to compose a three word email saying, "I love you" or "I miss you" or "I care alot"- and even less effort to hit 'send'. Yet I go days at a time without sending little notes or being thoughtful and sometimes I am even critical to people around me. {No lie...I'm not perfect and sometimes I gripe and complain and say hurtful things to people I care about!}
This picture is a reminder to me that although Chip's scars have healed really well and time has gone on since then, that there was a moment in time when things weren't so rosy and we nearly lost each other. We have stepped it up in that we love and care for each other deeply and we have been through a lot. But we sometimes still need little reminders such as this- taking those opportunities that come- or creating opportunities when it's been awhile (like going out on a date, giving your loved one a special card, or flowers for no reason other than you can...and you care) just to show in reality what is truly in your heart.
I remember how much pain consumed our lives and hearts when this picture was taken. What I see now when I look at this picture is how much I really cared. I care even more, years later. Looking back. Remembering. Being grateful and appreciating each moment.
Little things sometimes get lost in the hustle of life.
But it's often the littlest things that mean the most.
I love you, Chip.
In case you needed reminding today.