Waiting outside the church for my parents to come out after a sad mass made me think of all the things in my life that I am grateful for.  As I watched each person leave the church with tears in their eyes and pain in their heart I just sank back in my chair. I turned to my children and thanked God for having them sleeping peacefully right next to me.  It was painful watching them as they slid that tiny coffin in the back of the hearse.  I watched the mother of the 3 year old who lost her battle drop to the floor as family members helped carry her to the limo. It’s times like these when your faith is questioned. Why after all that little girl has gone through, all the suffering, ups and downs, she is called to her Lord?  So many questions and no answers.  All I could do is cry silently as I watched what felt like slow motion of families hugging and crying all around me.  I thanked God again for my children, my husband, my family and all those I hold dear in my life.  I pray and thank God every day for keeping Gio and Isa strong during the toughest time of their lives and bringing them home to our family.  Life is so fragile…appreciate all you have, love with all your heart, laugh so hard a little pee comes out, hug every person in your life as if they were leaving once your arms opened, and give all you have with all your soul and don’t hold back. I love my family and friends and I hope they know that I do.