on tuesday, when i googled kenny chesney's music to choose a song to go along with nick's tribute, this was the first song that came up on my screen. i didn't look any further.
you see...
when i think of nicholas gaddis, i don't think of the brave, handsome, young man he had become. no, on the contrary, i remember the beautiful, curly-headed toddler with the silly little pinkie (a genetic thing, too cute) that used to run through our house... who loved taking the pieces out of my puzzle stool and attempting to put each piece back in its place.
where do the years go???
when i think of nick's mom, jenny, i don't picture a mother of two twenty something year-old kids. no, on the contrary, i picture a very happy, very pregnant jenny who was standing in the middle of our den at her baby shower (for nicholas) while we all cut pieces of string to see who's most closely fit around her middle.
where do the years go???
when i think of nick's dad, bill, i don't think of him as the father of two twenty something year-old kids he has become. no, on the contrary, i remember bill coming to our house on new year's eve with a trivial pursuit game in tow (that he'd studied the answers to before his and jenny's arrival(so funny;). ha, nick came by his competitiveness quite honestly!
so, i ask again...
WHERE.DO.THE.YEARS.GO???
in chesney's song the question is asked of a 102 year-old man...
"what is the secret to life?"
in chesney's song the answer is given...
"don't blink..."
("trust me, friend. a hundred years goes faster than you think.
so don't blink." )
i don't know how fast a hundred years goes by (i'd like to one day; i think:); but i do know that the past 23 years have gone by way too quickly. if you don't believe me, i'm sure i know two broken parents that would grievously agree.
so...
live, love, laugh...
slowly.
and,
don't blink.
much love and GOD's blessings,
dani xx
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
***when i was at the funeral home this morning, jenny gave thanks for ALL your kind thoughts, prayers, and words. she was very touched by ALL your kindness. but, one of the last things she said to me was that they REALLY need prayers, now. so, if i may ask (again), please keep nick's family close to your heart. thank you.
"so i've been tryin' ta slow it down
i've been tryin' ta take it in
in this here today, gone tomorrow
world we're livin' in."
14 comments:
Your post reminds me of a song I like about the passing of time. The song is called "Who Knows Where the Time Goes." There are many versions of this song, but my two favorites are by Nina Simone and Cat Power.
Dani...Once again, so sorry to hear of the loss to you and Nick's family.
wk, it's one of my favorites, too... thank you, dear:)
Prayers for Nicks Family at this saddest of times.
This post is beautiful Dani and very thought provoking!
I have that words
LIVE ~ every moment,
LAUGH ~ every day,
LOVE ~ beyond words.
over on my blog and they are the words that I try and live my life by. I know first hand that a hundred years with the people that we love would not even be enough, none of us knows what the future holds ~ so we just have to live every moment to the fullest!
Thinking of you at this time ~ take care dear friend,
Love to you XXX
Consider it done Dani. Prayer is very powerful. For those we pray for, and for ourselves.
I'll pray for peace in their hearts. And for yours.
xo
Powerful words that we can all relate to really.
You're all in my thoughts. off to download this song.
I would consider it an honor to pray for this dear family. In fact I'm going to do something that we Mormons consider one of the best things to do besides prayers. I am going to call and put their family's name in our closest Temple. That means that many people every day will be praying for comfort for this mourning family. I hope that they will feel the peace that people around the world are praying for them to have.
We are praying for her family right now and we keep them close to our heart.
This post is great reminder to stop and smell the roses and relax.
Big hugs Dani!
I will, I will pray for them. I kind of stopped praying. I was having a big chip on my shoulder from Jeff not finding a job yet. I know I was wrong in doing that, but I will start again for them. I know prayer works, I was just mad.
Hope you still like me. :)
Oh Dani, what a powerful post and the messages in this song are such poignant reminders about the fragility of life and that it is something to be cherished, lived to the full, enjoyed and not taken for granted. I printed out a copy of the lyrics and this is one song that I like having in my head. It is a perfect reminder about the way life is intended to be lived. Kenny Chesney is one talented artist.
I will continue to pray for Nick's family. They are not far from our thoughts.
Lots of love and big hugs to you.
Thank you for sharing this song.
Elise
Dani, thank you so much for your condolences for my Grandma. This morning we went to my Aunty's place to discuss the funeral arrangements. The funeral will be on Wednesday morning. Even though we are sad that Grandma is no longer with us, we are all relieved that she is at peace and in Heaven.
The power of prayer is just an amazing thing ~ and i will continue to keep Nicks Parents in mine. Bless them.
I love that song too Dani, and the words are so true. I think we all just need to stop and smell the roses.
Much Love to you all,
love,
Amanda x
Oh Dani, the tears are welling up in MY eyes this time when reading your post. You've written it so beautifully....
At least we can hold on to the memories of those past years and take them with us wherever we go.
Love,
Tania
A moving & truly beautiful post Dani! the song is just beautiful thank you for sharing it with us! I will continue to keep Nick's parents in my thoughts & prayers!
Take care my beautiful friend,
love & hugs,
t. xxxx
Oh Dani - this gave me chills. Praying for this amazing family.
I am so sad for his poor parents. I can't even imagine.
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