Have I told you lately, that I love you?

Where does time go?  Oh I know...  friends, family, pets, school, church all those little things.  Do you know where yours goes?  Today I am writing because so much is happening in our little community and one in particular is tearing at my heartstrings tonight.  A little 8 year old girl was kidnapped in a tiny little town just about 10 miles west of here.  For those in Central Nebraska, it's a little Wood River to Grand Island type of town.  Why?  Why!  Why does this happen? :(  Every day as I am rushing to work, getting my daughter dressed and cared for and screaming at my son to hurry up and get dressed I forget.  I forget that this may be the last time we ever have together.  It may be the last time he says, "I love you Mom" as he gets out of the car and goes across the street to school.  My paranoid self always watches him to walk all the way into the school and after the news of our kidnapping today it will ALWAYS happen.  I don't care if I am 2 hours late for work.  It will happen.  I don't ever want to risk losing my son in any way.  I don't ever want to hear him say "I love you Mom" for the last time.  These are my kids :(  My life would be absolutely nothing without them.  So much goes wrong so quickly you never know what could happen.  So tonight, I am challenging you.  The next time your kid is getting crabby about getting ready for school, or whiny because they don't want to be at daycare or in the carseat.  Remember to ALWAYS tell them you love them.  Always, no matter how bad it is or how mad you are.  You may not get another chance.  Life is an open book, and you don't always know what the final chapter will entail.  Love them, hug them, kiss them, and yes...  discipline them once in a while but don't make it your life.  If you were to pass away in your sleep tonight what would be the last thing your children will remember about you before they go to bed.  Keep that in mind as you hurry through your morning routine or your nightly routine.  Just like the old marriage advice says, "don't go to bed mad" Well practice this on your kids and I promise, your heart will feel better.  Mine does.  On the days I do forget, it saddens me quite a bit.  Today was one of those days.  Thank God that my son came home safely to me tonight.  I wish I could say about every child out there.  Love your kids and they will love you always...