Captiva – Lightning and Grace

A dear friend of mine wrote a beautiful tribute to Laura that she shared during the service. It talked about Laura being lightning and grace. Powerful, full of energy, yet elegant and welcoming to everyone. It’s difficult to put into words the aura that Laura possessed. She glowed, even when she was at her worst. She was a firecracker one minute, then a shoulder to lean on the next.

I miss that immensely. Yet, I see it every single day. I see it in my children, they are my lightning and grace.

My daughter is lightning. She’s full of energy and exudes a tremendous amount of physical and mental strength for such a tiny soul. In a flash, she can make you smile or laugh. She’s also determined and goal-oriented. Giving up isn’t an option for her and she’ll always be a fighter or an advocate for something as she gets older. I still laugh when I recollect the time her early-childhood teacher told us that she possessed all of the great traits of a 35-year-old woman – strong-willed, independent and fierce…just not traits you want for a 3-year-old.

My son is grace. He is thoughtful, caring and way too mature for his age. He thinks about everything and uses logic to form opinions and make decisions. He doesn’t judge and sees the good in everyone. He has so much love and care in his heart that I have no doubt he’ll continue to do great things for other people long into his life. I had a moment while we were in Captiva, I was leaning over the sink crying and I felt his arms wrap around me and then tell me that everything is going to be okay. I can’t tell you how much I needed that hug, and an 8-year old who is way more mature for his age knew I needed it as well.

Laura was lightning and grace.

My children are lightning and grace.

In them, I see her, now and forever.