Each Day is a Gift

You've probably heard the phrase, "Don't sweat the small stuff"? It is so true. I remind myself constantly. Today was an emotional day returning to work. The principal of our school passed away on December 30th, after a short battle with cancer. She was an inspiration to myself and many people in our school community. She was very supportive of my decision to adopt and would have liked to have met Jiliang.
I have had so many losses this year that it is hard to ascertain how to deal with the losses. I feel like I can only tuck their memory away, be thankful for their role in my life, and appreciate how precious that life really is. I believe that is what they would want.
When I told my friend Lori that we had been matched with a child, I mentioned how scared I was that things were happening so fast. We were taking a huge leap of faith in switching programs and I feared that we would end up empty-handed. I knew I couldn't handle that kind of disappointment. I was so afraid that we couldn't make it work it that amount of time. Lori told me profoundly, "Life is too short Jill." She told me that I just needed to get her home as soon as possible, and not to hesitate. Those are words that I will never forget.
When we suffer a loss of a friend or loved one, we need to take an opportunity to be thankful and to truly embrace life and those who love and support us. Part of the Chinese New Year tradition is righting wrongs and for creating new beginnings. Life is too short, so don't hesitate in doing what is right in your heart. Spend time with the ones you hold dear to your heart and live without regrets.