A visitation, a recital, and memorable Halloween memory

Yesterday was a strange day as you can imagine. I spent most of the day hugging my kids. A cold front moved in with tornado warnings and the atmosphere really fit my mood...cold and dreary.

A few things I am reminded of after the death of a friend's husband. We only are promised this moment. Live each moment like it was your last. Don't spend so much time worried about petty things.

After I dropped off the carpool, I ran home and got Matthew dressed in his costume for his first recital. All of the children and instructors from the Baylor piano program were to be in costume. We then raced over to Baylor to watch the recital. I had a few minutes between Matthew's individual lesson and the recital so I took the younger two to the Chilis and Starbucks parking garage on campus. Of course they had nothing like this when I was there! It was my first time in there and I stuck out like a sore thumb with two children in tow.

Off to the recital. Thomas, ME, and I had to walk quite a ways. Looking around the Baylor campus, I was reminded of my time there. So many fun memories. I also couldn't help to think of Jen. So much of her life revolves around Baylor.

Matthew's recital was a hoot. He was asked to make up a composition that reminded him of his costume. Seeing how he was a cop, he played the keys up and down several times to sound like a police siren. He played his pieces perfectly and insisted on doing it with his handcuffs on!

When we got home, Bryon was waiting for me. He came home early to help with trick or treating so I could go to the visitation. We got the kids all dressed up and out the door. Time for the visitation.

I got there 10 minutes after the doors open and the line was already wrapped around the corner. In the line were mostly college students as well as a who's who of Baylor 10 years ago. It was so nice seeing people I hadn't seen in 10 years although quite akward under the circumstances.

After standing in line an hour, Jen's best friend came through and showed me where Jen was. I wasn't interested in seeing Kyle's body, I just wanted to give Jen a hug. She looked so frail and helpless and my heart ached for her. Hard to describe the scene so I think I won't even attempt to.

I went to my parents to meet up with Bryon and the kids. We were laughing thinking back to Halloween 10 years ago. I was at Baylor and Bryon was in Temple. He called to say he was on his way to pick me up. This should normally take 30 minutes. He didn't show up for a hour and a half! I was so mad/relieved when I saw him!

I found out later that he had asked my parents to marry me. He would start on his prepared statement and then, "Ding Dong! Trick or Treat!" It took him a while to say what he had to say with the interruptions!

When I was reunited with my little family last night, I just looked at all of them and thanked God for them. I only have this moment. I am going to savor it.