Letting Go...

Life has been a whirlwind since returning home from Florida.  Within days of our return, my baby brother was in a fatal car accident.  As you can imagine, everything I know has been turned upside down.  After life held me upside down by the belt loops and shook me, only the important things remained.  My pockets were overflowing before my brother, John, died.  But now, the superfluous is gone.  No longer will I stuff my life full of things I'm not crazy, passionate about.  So, here's how the cards fell:

1. God wins...even in the midst of the storm.  Even when we don't understand.
2. I adore my husband and my children.  They are why I breathe. They are gifts and I will treasure them more.
3.  My family may have their flaws but they are part of the very tapestry of who I am and I love them. 
4.  My friends are gifts to me...I plan to tell them that more often.
5.  I will no longer be overwhelmed (and over-run) by "stuff" that I may need next month or year.  Next month or year may not come.  If they do and I need said "stuff", there's always The Goodwill!  Living amongst the stuff is not worth the effort.
5.  I will simplify.

My brother was 34 years old and had married the love of his life last October.  He was happy!  He had a wife and 2 children (9, 14) whom he adored.  He was killed in a freak, single car accident.  He was not drinking, smoking or texting.  He was driving to work...probably singing some really, bad country song.  He didn't know when he kissed his wife goodbye that it would be last time...neither did she.  John was a good man, he loved God, his family and his truck!  I am grateful for having had him. 

In loving memory:

John Clinton Mouser II

1975-2010