#16 S "Capturing the fullness of grateful"

I went to Inside Out at the cheap-o theater with Micah for his aliens day night. The day had some unexpected turns and I knew he needed some special time to feel like we were truly celebrating him.

I didn't expect it to hit me like it did. That's what is so amazing about timing in life. I think if I would have watched this movie a week ago it wouldn't have had the impact that it did. But I didn't watch it a week ago, I watched it on Saturday with Micah. On his aliens day. And for that I was so grateful.

I was grateful because I got to visually SEE how we are made up of the fullness of our emotions.

I was grateful because I got to cry when Bing-Bong "died". Not because he died but because of HOW he died. That he jumped out and knew his sacrifice would save Joy...and ultimately Riley.

I was grateful because Micah said after the movie, "I would do what Bing-Bond did for my kids. And for Audrey." What a kid. What a heart.

I was grateful because our memories aren't just isolated in one emotion but instead God creates us as the wholeness of who we are. He creates us to have fear and anger and joy and disgust and sadness. And we need all of those. I used to think we had to choose. We don't. We need to live in the fullness of who God has created us and sometimes sadness is the one who has to step in and save us. Sometimes we just need to cry. And that is what connects us to others.

I was grateful because I saw that you can actually not have compassion for others if you are in "joy mode" and not taking care of others. Empathy. Joy thought she was all Riley needed and yet she found out in the end that it was just the opposite. Only sadness could stop Riley from running away.

I was grateful because I got to talk to Micah about what his "islands" were...Family, Batman, Movies, God...and I got to reflect on what my islands were. And I saw my life through a different lens than ever before.

I was grateful because I saw the incredible value of scrapbooking and why that gives us "core memories". I know I would have remembered the night on the bridge in Wisconsin Dells last summer without pictures but dang every time I look at the picture of Jeremy and I on the bridge that night my heart soars. Every time.  And every time I look at the boys running away from the ocean waves for the first time. Heart soars. And every time I look at the picture of Micah in his carseat with the Thomas the Train tracks on his blanket that Aidan gave him I melt. Every time.

Keep taking pictures. Keep capturing. Keep telling stories. Keep facing the sad. Keep admitting what you feel. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep being the wholeness of who you are. 

That is a message I needed to hear on Saturday night and need to hear every night. So, so grateful for a boy who needed special time with me that night, because I was blessed more than I imagined. Funny how that happens...God's timing is so great. Capture it.