This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

(Psalm 118:24 NIV)

My daughter gave me the most wonderful birthday present this year. She took 3 pictures of her and her two brothers when they were just babies. Then she sent away to a place that printed them on 3 large refrigerator magnets. Now each time I open the freezer to get some ice cubes I get to see the 3 beautiful faces of my babies smiling at me.

It is funny that each time I look at these pictures I feel young and old, hopeful and nostalgic, happy and a little sad. I look back at all the years I spent raising and loving my children who are now all in their 30’s and wonder where all the years have gone. I delight in all the loving memories we created over the years and regret all the times I failed to do so. If I could go back and talk to that young Dad, I would tell him a few things. I would tell him to stop wishing for things in his life to be better, to be perfect. Life is life. It gives you what it gives you. The key is to embrace each moment you are given, to live it with love, and to rejoice in the joy it brings to you. Don’t waste your moments wishing for more, worrying about what you have and don’t have, comparing yourself to others. Instead Live Now. Love Now. And hug those beautiful babies before they grow up on you.

It is never too late, though, to live in the Now. It is never too late to embrace the moment. It is never too late to share your Love. We create most of our suffering in this life and we create most of our Joy as well. Why not select Joy? God wants us to be full of love, full of light, full of laughter, full of gratitude, and full of joy. God wants us to choose to be kind, giving, caring, and happy. It is something we all instinctively knew as children but somehow forgot and had to relearn as adults. Each time I look at those 3 smiling faces on my fridge, however, I remember and I thank God for another day here. May you do the same.

Joseph J. Mazzella