loss

i have thought about doing this post all week long and just couldn't find the words. i still don't really have the words, but i need to write this. an old friend from high school passed away on monday. he was 33 and in good health, but i guess God saw it as his time to join Him in heaven. i didn't really know him well, i was better friends with his brother, but anyone who knew this guy at all could call him a friend. i am hurting for all the people who were close to him, especially his family. right here at Christmas time just sucks. i know that when it's your time, it's your time, and really, i am jealous he is in heaven, hanging out with God, with no pain, no worries, no sadness. but why him, at 33 years old? he still had so much life to live. it's just so hard not to question this. i know i am rambling. i have just sort of been in a daze this week. i think facebook has been one of the neatest things through this. i have been able to go to his page and read all the wonderful memories people are posting about him. it is so touching.

this week has already been emotional, and today is going to be even more so. we do this incredibly awesome thing at our work every year where we invite a few of our neighbor elementary schools to pick 8 of the kids in their schools that don't have much to come and "shop" at our office. the owners bring in all kinds of small trinkets and toys for the kiddos to "buy" for their families, and they just light up because they are going to get to give their family members something for Christmas. it is really so wonderful to watch these children, but so many of their stories are just heartbreaking. there is no good way to prepare yourself emotionally for what is coming. the kids love it though. we let them "shop", feed them lunch, spoil them with goody bags, and they even get to sit on santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. such an incredible thing to watch and be a part of!

hannah's babysitter is having a Christmas party next week for the kids, and i love what she does with them. she lets them all draw a name, and then they get to go buy a $5 item for that person and do a gift exchange! i love that she is helping us as parents teach our kiddos that giving is more important than receiving! of course, they will each receive their gift, but kids love to give as much as they like to get i think. we should all have hearts more like our children! we, as adults, get too wrapped up in the stress of buying too many gifts and being too busy this time of year!

i hope everyone has had an awesome week! it's almost the weekend!! :)