I hope you dance.

It's my 400th post! WOW! It's been a busy, fun day, but something is just weighing on my heart as yours I am sure. As the mother of my dear 9 year old son, I have felt so incredibly sad for the 9 yr old sole survivor of the Libyan airplane crash. Ruben has occupied many of my thoughts the last few days. I think of my son, so mature, yet still so young at age 9 dependent on his parents. He still wants my hugs and kisses. He loves sharing events of his day with me. He's my buddy. I want to hug Ruben who can no longer hug his mom or throw ball with his dad or even fight with his brother. I don't want the death of his family to be the death of his spirit. I am comforted to know that where he lives in The Netherlands is also where most of his extended family lives. I hope he finds solace in the days ahead and that he goes on to do great things with the life he was so strangely, yet deliberately, spared by God. I pray he is smothered in love and somehow finds a peace about all of this, pushing all of the "why's" out of his thoughts. I am so thankful he enjoyed a final vacation with his family and those memories sustain him for years to come. He's in my prayers and these are not just words I type. These are real feelings I feel because my 9 yr old still has his family. While collecting my thoughts for this post I remembered the song by LeAnn Womack, "I Hope You Dance". I looked up the lyrics. How perfect for Ruben. So, even though it's a little cheesy, I'll end by sharing them because it certainly applies to this precious child.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance Ruben!