Three hours later...

I asked Chip to pause for a couple of minutes and take some quick family pictures before he would fly back home to Michigan. He rolled his eyes at me, but smiled and said, "Okay...but let's make 'em quick." I said, "Hey...be nice. These could be the last family photos we take with you."

That was around 3 pm. At around 4 pm Chip was on a bus that rode over the bridge that collapsed here in Minneapolis over the Mississippi at 6:05 pm.

I was helping my mom make my kids crepes with peaches for dinner when we heard the inital report of the bridge collapse. My heart ached for everyone touched by this tragedy. Literally...two hours made the difference between this being my story and someone else's story. I am not immune to the hurts and horrors of this world just because I've lived through some already. I appreciate every moment in my life- simply because it IS a gift. Everyday.

Maybe I say it too many times around here. Maybe. But it's so true.

And tonight I am thanking God for sparing me the unbelieveable pain of the events of this bridge collapse. I am praying for the families of those who are coming to grips with this reality in their life. And for all those touched so unexpectedly by loss. It is sad. It is hard to understand. I hope you will pray for the families whose story took such an unexpected turn today. And thank God for your own life...which is a gift to be treasured. Daily.