I lost a dear friend in a tragic set of events. About a year ago I did a lifestyle newborn photo session (she has five kids total) for her and it was amazing. I got every photo I would ever hope to get and more simply because the love present in that home was unmatched. At her funeral her husband picked me out of a crowd and embraced me with a passion in his voice I could never describe and thanked me for coming to their home and giving him those tokens that he will forever cherish as well as his children. Her mom did the same, as well as her sisters, and countless friends of her’s that I have never met.
One by one individuals took time out of their day to express the most unbelievable kind things that anyone has ever offered to me. My husband, who was with me grabbed my hand on the car ride home and muttered, “I know you feel so unfulfilled and so insignificant in your current job, but something so small to you meant everything to them.”
If I can be candidly honest and genuine for a moment, this article took a completely different turn. What could have been an article prodding you to be in more photos with your loved ones turned into a message of “you’re here for a reason.” A while ago a reader commented on one of my articles and she said something with the main idea being that “it isn’t what or where you are; rather, it’s who you are, that determines your inner version of success.” Her comment really imprinted upon my mind and caused me to let go of the little corner of bitterness of “could haves,” that were still occupying a piece of my soul.
Here is a final message for those who have felt like I felt. For those of us who have experienced the haunting powers of “what ifs,” and “could haves.” If you feel a little insignificant on your journey I encourage you to take a step back and to realize that to everything there is a time and a season.
There is a specific purpose for this hallway you are walking and a reason why doors have been closed and the door you feel you need to walk toward seems like it is one hundred floors away. In the words of one wise reader, “It isn’t what or where you are, it’s who you are.” We don’t need to be haunted for a road not traveled, rather let us contemplate the significance of our current path.
I hope and pray for so many of you that you find your “reason,” whatever that may be. I am confident that each of us has one. To my beautiful friend gone too soon, her family and friends as well as so many others-strangers and familiar faces alike- my heart is overwhelmingly grateful for your light in helping me walk and love my own path.
