My daughter has an immune system that breaks her bones. For 4 years, we brought her to treatments, held her when she was in pain, and prayed every single day to trade places with her so she would never feel pain another day in her life. If we went on vacation, she would have to use a wheelchair. She had a walking stick, had to have a tutor, and dealt with all this during a pandemic in Massachusetts. In those 4 years, she broke several bones, including her T5. She was switched between two chemo drugs, one that made her very sick before switching to the second medicine that she tolerated well. We were told if this drug didn’t work, the next drug would cause her to lose her hair. I promised her I’d shave my head too if it came to that and we’d get the coolest matching wigs ever. Thankfully, it never did. In 2022, We escaped Massachusetts and moved to Florida and it’s amazing how a change in atmosphere and climate, and not being ostracized can lift a spirit and heal a body. 17 months later, by the grace of God and good medicine, She went into remission in August 2023. I have never cried that hard from being happy in my life. I tell you all of this now, because life is challenging and it is fleeting. We are bombarded with anger and vitriol and hatred and war. It’s difficult to not become demoralized— unless we find something or someone that gives us joy and purpose always, and punctuates everyday with goodness. Dwelling is pointless. Holding a grudge is poison. Let it all go. Don’t let these struggles keep you in a stranglehold. Tomorrow, I challenge you to imagine you went to sleep at 80 years old, but you woke up and got to be whatever age you are today again. You got to be young again. Have your children young again. Everyone is happy and healthy. How would you spend this day if you had a second chance to live it? How would use that gift? Slow down and be thankful for every scraped knee that you got to kiss better, every time you had to referee a backseat argument, every snuggle that turned into a nap and put your arm to sleep. Every belly laugh. Every pillow fight. Every Oreo covered face, Brushing their hair, watching them sleep, making ice cream sundaes to cheer them up. Every time they needed you. Bottle up those moments. Take in the way their eyes light up when they laugh, notice their crooked teeth and the freckles on their noses. Study their little hands and the dimple on their cheek. Whether you made them from scratch or they were born in your heart, they are your legacy and you are their entire world. And most of all, remember that we are not promised a long life— but we have the power in ourselves to live a full one.