An ending and a beginning

I've had the great honor of witnessing two of life's phenomena in one week:
The end of life
The beginning of life
I'll begin at the ending. I didn't know the man, but I know part of what he left behind. My friend Crandall lost her father this week, and I am honored to call myself one of her friends and fortunate enough to have been able to attend her father's funeral so I could take part in celebrating his life and praying for him in death. With inexplicable strength and humor, Crandall's mother spoke of her late husband candidly, drawing laughs and tears from all who heard. A bittersweet experience, I am now touched by a remarkable man I never had the honor of truly knowing.
Yesterday, my sweet friend Jessica and her husband Cory allowed me to horn in on an ultrasound (FOUR-D!!! IT'S SO COOL!!!) of their new baby who is now about three months away from being ready to join the extra-uteran world. I'm so excited for my dear friends and cannot wait to meet their darling gift from God. I truly believe that pregnancy is a gift... one with which I hope to blessed. So many women spend their pregnancies wishing them away, but as Erma Bombeck said, a woman's pregnancy is "The only opportunity a human will ever have to actually help God complete a miracle." What a beatuiful thing. It was magical to see that little face that exists inside my friend's womb... to count the 10 perfect little toes, 8 perfect little fingers and two thumbs.. to see him/her (or HIMER as we're calling the baby now...) in that perfect state... that development happening each moment-- to see Himer's hands block the precious mouth we were straining to see... and then catch a glimpse as Himer opened Himer's eyes.... To watch the heart thump, ump... thump, ump... thump, ump.. as it pulses blood through that tiny little body-- and actually SEE the heart beating.. wow!

I am touched to have been a party to each of those events. I am ashamed at my lack of ability to put the impact and importance of them into words.
Treasure life. Treasure human life in all forms. Live EVERY SINGLE DAY for the glorification of the awesome God who loves you completely.

DAILY OFFERING
My God, I offer you all my works, prayers, joys, pains and sufferings of this day in communion with the Holy sacrifice of Mass throughout the world, for the reparation of my sins and for the intention of all the souls in purgatory.