Pretty deep stuff

I never intended to have two back-to-back postings about death. 
In fact, I was in the middle of another post when I received the news that my cousin's wife had passed. 
It was expected. 
Due to her suffering, it was probably even welcomed. 
Still, how does one really deal with that? 
I mean, my closest family and friends each hold a very special place in my life.
My husband, my very best friend and truly a life-long partner.  I really can't imagine a single day without him in it.
My kids, all 3 are these perfect blessings. Their imperfections make them perfect. Doesn't make sense, I realize but it does to me.
My siblings, who I learn from and laugh with.  And even though two of them are "new", I don't ever want to be at a stage in life with out you.
My mom, the epitome of selflessness and giving and independence.
My friends. So many of them yet, each one is important to me for different reasons. There is the forever one, the anytime one, the hilarious one, the fun one, the soul-sister, the smart one, the real one, the giving one, and many, many more.  The reality of it is many of my friends are all these wrapped into one. 
I have the best friends and family, I really do. 
Each one serves a purpose.
Each makes me want to be better, do more, worry less, love harder.
A hard pill to swallow is that one day I will have to goodbye to some of them. 
I get tears just thinking about it. 
My life, as I know it, will just never be the same.
Makes you wonder, do you have the same impact on people as they do on you? 
So my question (to end my depressing rambling) is this:  Do you know what purpose you serve in others life? Is it one you are proud of? And, have you told the VIPs in your life just how they make your day better so that one day, when you are telling them good-bye, they'll know why life, as you know it, will never be the same without them?

Life's problems or God's blessings?

I really believe that happiness is a choice. That attitude is key. That yes, we all get blue, but how you view the world can mean all the difference. Here are some examples to show what I mean by this:

Situation #1
I bought a beautiful set of cherry end tables for next to nothing (you all know my deals I get). I was so proud of my find. They made my living room look new. Everyone that came over got to hear all about my sweet deal on my new, gorgeous tables. Then, Chase happened. In an effort to charge up his DS, he carelessly unplugged my scented oil cartridge from the wall and layed it on it's side. All the oil ran out and ate the varnish off my prized table. Problem or blessing? Blessing! I now have a forever reminder that I once I had 3 beautiful, carefee children who made my house a home. It's just some wood and I can still feel that sweet, "I'm sorry, Mom" hug around my neck.

Situation #2
All but one pair of my jeans are painfully tight. Problem or blessing? Blessing! Those uber-tight jeans are a constant (and I do mean constant) reminder that I, like most Americans, have more than enough. At this very moment, there are people in Haiti who have been devastated and would sing praises just to have clean drinking water, rice or baby formula. Does this serve as one's excuse to be overweight? Certainly not, but I can assert that I would much rather have rub marks on my waist from too-tight jeans than pains in my belly from hunger.

Situation #3
Anyone who knows us and unfortunately anyone who ran into us one of these days, knows that the past year the Woods' family has endured our share (and then some) of vehicle trials and tribulations. Problem or blessing? Yep, you guessed it! Blessing! Yes, it's been aggravating, expensive, and inconvenient. However, the great that has come out of this is my mother and Brad have had a wonderful oppurtunity to talk and grow closer (my mother is wonderful and has been picking Brad up to carpool with her). I'm just thankful for the relationship they have.

I could go on and on...you get the idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all sunshine and butterflies. However, God makes me aware everyday that blessings are all around me. Some days I may have to look harder to find them, but I know they are there. It's all about attitude. God is so good!
Amanda