A moment

It was one of those beautiful Sunday evenings in California. The park was filled with people. I heard laughing and kids yelling as they played in the water and others slid down the slide. We were off to the side where it was a little quieter. I sat in the grass enjoying its coolness against the heat of the day. I looked out over the park and smiled as I watched Ariyana run with our friend. I could hear her shrieks of laughter as they raced. Afshin was further behind them trying to catch up. I could hear him yelling to them. They were both so happy. You could see it in their faces and hear it in their laughter. I looked to the sky as a wave of sorrow washed over me. Hamid, you were supposed to be here, you were supposed to be the one playing with the kids. You would have loved this day. I think in some way maybe you were there with us and could feel the love, the joy, the freedom from my pain. But that is all that we will have; the memories those special moments when there is a magical connection to that world that is beyond our understanding.

I looked back at them, watching them all run towards me. I felt myself smile and the sorrow slipped away and was replaced with feelings of blessings. Life is different now. It will always be different but God continues to watch over us and I am grateful for these gifts that He brings to me.