Happy Thankful Thursday...today there is a harvest of remembering brewing in my heart. Yesterday marked 8 years since my sweet cousin Scott passed away...every time I see a pumpkin, I can't help but think of him. His life and spirit are the focus of my Thankful Thursday.
Growing up, Scott was like an older wiser brother. His smarts could intimidate the best of them, his love of style always left his impeccably dressed, his creativity so easily expressed behind the lens of a camera, his generosity evident in his care of others, his precision I'm sure was crafted through many projects spearheaded by my grandfather, his love of March Madness and SU basketball, his heart so full of travel and adventure, and his friends so many and so special.
Each year our family would have a gift exchange, and my cousin's and I would eagerly await Christmas Day to see who was the proud receiver of Scott's gifts... his treasures were personal and magical...he bought the most amazing gifts and it seemed like he might have had a direct connection to the North Pole. For 26 years I hoped he would get my name, but he never did....that is until December 25, 2006...We were sitting at my Aunt Judy's and Uncle Gary's passing out gifts in order from oldest to youngest...it got to be my turn and to my amazement my two gifts were from him. Little did I know how much these two treasures would mean to me. I unwrapped a very large square that was fashionably decorated with a shower of bows...as I tore into the paper a gorgeous collage of pumpkins and gourds lay hidden in a green matted frame. I could feel the tears sting my eyes as I held this treasure, seeing how Scott so magically captured my favorite season. I opened the second smaller box, and as I did, it revealed a beautiful nativity ornament from Williamsburg. He had just visited there a few weeks prior and picked up the ornament...That was the last Christmas that our family enjoyed his magic.
We lost touch somewhere along the way, but the year that he came back home to support his father during cancer treatments was full of emails, text messages, and connections. We were always going to grab lunch...and we never did. In remembering him today, I hope that you feel inspired to connect with those you love, reach out to those who have been off your radar, and don't wait for some perfect moment to arrive before you share the best parts of yourself. Today I am so thankful for the magic of Scott's presence in my life. Even though it's hard to believe so much time has gone by, it is this well spring of love which keeps him near in heart. As Mitch Albom wrote, "Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.”
May love inspire you today to be grateful, magical, and present for all of the amazing people in your life. Thank you for allowing me to share such a sweet part of my heart.
May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
Sarah
Growing up, Scott was like an older wiser brother. His smarts could intimidate the best of them, his love of style always left his impeccably dressed, his creativity so easily expressed behind the lens of a camera, his generosity evident in his care of others, his precision I'm sure was crafted through many projects spearheaded by my grandfather, his love of March Madness and SU basketball, his heart so full of travel and adventure, and his friends so many and so special.
Each year our family would have a gift exchange, and my cousin's and I would eagerly await Christmas Day to see who was the proud receiver of Scott's gifts... his treasures were personal and magical...he bought the most amazing gifts and it seemed like he might have had a direct connection to the North Pole. For 26 years I hoped he would get my name, but he never did....that is until December 25, 2006...We were sitting at my Aunt Judy's and Uncle Gary's passing out gifts in order from oldest to youngest...it got to be my turn and to my amazement my two gifts were from him. Little did I know how much these two treasures would mean to me. I unwrapped a very large square that was fashionably decorated with a shower of bows...as I tore into the paper a gorgeous collage of pumpkins and gourds lay hidden in a green matted frame. I could feel the tears sting my eyes as I held this treasure, seeing how Scott so magically captured my favorite season. I opened the second smaller box, and as I did, it revealed a beautiful nativity ornament from Williamsburg. He had just visited there a few weeks prior and picked up the ornament...That was the last Christmas that our family enjoyed his magic.
We lost touch somewhere along the way, but the year that he came back home to support his father during cancer treatments was full of emails, text messages, and connections. We were always going to grab lunch...and we never did. In remembering him today, I hope that you feel inspired to connect with those you love, reach out to those who have been off your radar, and don't wait for some perfect moment to arrive before you share the best parts of yourself. Today I am so thankful for the magic of Scott's presence in my life. Even though it's hard to believe so much time has gone by, it is this well spring of love which keeps him near in heart. As Mitch Albom wrote, "Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.”
May love inspire you today to be grateful, magical, and present for all of the amazing people in your life. Thank you for allowing me to share such a sweet part of my heart.
May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
Sarah
RSS Feed
