As I was going through old cards that I have sentimentally hung onto over the years, there was one that stood out. The card was opened, but still in its mailed envelope. In it was a message from a dear friend of the family, sent especially to my oldest son. I was given this card when I was pregnant for him. There was a beautiful message written in it.  There was a dollar coin, mint condition in the card for my son, for when he is older. Friend, it was not the coin that made the card worth more, it was the kind words that were inscribed. I smiled after reading it and safely stored the coin and card away. The card to be cherished for years to come and the coin for when my son is older and can better appreciate the value of the sentiment. Friend, it got me thinking, the people that we hold the dearest in life, truly are blessings from God. Sometimes we do not always value them as we should. We have this mindset at times that they will always be there. When we should be valuing all parts of them, at all times. Their good attributes, as well as their little quirks. The couple that gave this card to my son made me think; as much as I cherished the card that they gave me many years ago, did I cherish them that much when they were alive in person? Friend, we do not live forever. We do not know the last page of our story and most importantly; the last page of the blessings of those we love. May we go every day, cherishing our loved ones, like beautiful words etched onto our hearts forever. For those loving words, special moments and cherished memories are worth more than all the coins in the world. They remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Go out and love the people near and dear to you. Love them hard. For whether we or they live for a moment or many years; we must inscribe that love on our hearts now and forever. For though time itself is predictable, our time is not. God has blessed us with these people as we journey here. May we love them, with love in action, as we travel this journey called life.

Erin Fitts-Brower

1 John 4:19 NIV

We love because he first loved us.

Romans 12:10 NIV

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.