This week, a tragedy hit close to home.

In a freak boating accident, a little girl was killed. I didn’t know her or her family, but my heart aches for them. In that same accident, a mom—someone I know—was seriously injured. She lost her leg and faces a long road to recovery.

My heart is heavy today.

This pain… it’s rippling through our community.
I haven’t stopped thinking about these families.
I can’t even begin to imagine their grief.

Each morning when I wake up, I find myself thanking God for my kids. I go to bed thanking God for my kiddos and husband.
I’ve been more intentional with my time and my words. I can’t help but hug them more, snuggle just a little longer.

I know I’m not the only one feeling this.
So many other moms are whispering the same quiet prayer:
Please, God… not my babies.

We’re thanking God for what we still have. We’re holding the weight of what someone else has lost.

Motherhood doesn’t come with guarantees. And sometimes, we forget how fragile it all is—until something like this reminds us.

We take so many things for granted.
Can I have a snack?
The sound of their feet running through the house.
The way they ask for “just one more story.”

So this week, I’ve been saying yes more often.
Yes to time with my hubby.
Yes to one more hug.
Yes to slowing down, to holding eye contact, to really listening.
I didn’t rush through our time together.
I sat beside them. I asked if they wanted to snuggle.
I whispered, I love you, again and again—because what if that’s the last time I get to?

I’m not writing this to be heavy. I’m writing this because life is.
But also—so is love.

Even in the midst of grief, even when the world feels broken, I’m reminded:

We get to love our hubby and kids today.
We get to show up—imperfectly—for one more moment.
We get to hold them close.

So if your heart feels tender too—if you’ve been kinder to your hubby, hugging your kids a little tighter, ignoring the to-do list or watching them sleep just a little longer—you’re not alone.

Let’s hold space for the hurting.
Let’s pray for the family who lost their little girl.
Let’s pray for the family whose mama is facing a new reality.
This affects their whole world.

Let’s slow down.
Love harder.
And hold our kids and spouse a little closer today.

As hard as it might be, we need to continue to trust God in this.

Love,