Whenever I visit the cemetery where Kayli is buried, I always notice how full of life it seems. I am not referring to people visiting there, although there usually are others stopping by as well. No, I am referring to the love poured out there. This place is filled with expressions of love to the person that they would love one more day with. These monuments each represent a life--a member of family--that was cherished and loved. I like to park some distance from Kayli's grave and take the long way walking there. It is so peaceful. A gentle breeze usually blows and the birds sing as I stroll along. I take the time to look around and notice the tender care that is given to so many loved ones buried there. Flowers and flags, statues and wind chimes--pictures and mementos...connections to the life that was given for a season. I sometimes think about their stories. I imagine them as having worked hard, smiled easy, loved big, felt the joys and sorrows of this world and known the pain of loss and failure. Some may have had hard lives, hard hearts and left a hole of bitterness behind. Others clearly died defending our nation while others left this Earth before they had an opportunity to live. Still others...like Kayli, David, Lydia and Karrie taught us that wisdom and bravery do not come with age, but with character forged by God alone. These four always stand out to me because I knew them. I knew their battles, their pain and the brokenness left for the beautiful families who nurtured them. We are now members of an elite club that we didn't ask to join or volunteer for. Burying your children is the most unnatural thing for a parent to do. In fact, the English language doesn't even have a term for a parent who has lost a child. There are widows, widowers, orphans and then nothing to describe the parent whose child has died. You not only have lost your precious one...your mini-me...you have lost all that represents their future too. Being a bereaved parent is likened to a wheel with many spokes...the components of the grief are varied and different. Yet, the hole left behind for the family is similar for all the families that visit this place. You can tell by the the expressions of love found here. I go to the cemetery for me; not for Kayli because she isn't there. Sure, her broken body is buried there for now, but her spirit is more alive than it has ever been. She is with Jesus and for this I have no words to adequately express my thankfulness. She made the decision to make Him Lord of her life and live her days to honor Him. She knew that this life...her life filled with cancer and heartache were not the final chapter of her story. She knew that Earth was just the beginning. 10 months ago, as we stood by her graveside and i placed my hand on her casket...I spoke through tear filled eyes and a broken heart, just this..."See you soon baby girl". Sorrow upon sorrow for me. Best day EVERY day for her. I will continue to go to her grave and care for it as a reflection of my love for my daughter. It feels good to do something to honor her. I never understood this so well as I do now. So I challenge you with this. Drive through a cemetery and look around. Really look. Is it full of life? Every grave there represents someone just like you. Someday it will be your turn. A stone will represent your life. What kind of legacy are you growing now that will be what remains in the minds and hearts of those who knew you? Start living today. Live life in light of your eternity. Take a look at this great illustration that gives you an idea of how fleeting our time here truly is.