The Ones Who Get To Live

I dipped my toes in the cold lake water on a late March Sunday afternoon. A few tears escaped as I thought about some pain I’d been holding. The laughter of two young boys rang through the air. Glancing to the left, I saw four feet laying on the dock with attached heads and hands splashing in the water. They looked to be brothers. They giggled and looked up to locate their dad. He said it was time to go. They hopped up and walked my direction.

As they passed by me, one boy stopped and said, “Lucky! You get to put your feet in the water!”

I smiled.

“Yes, I do.”
“Is it cold?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered.

He rejoined his brother and they ran down to dock to their waiting father.

Kid, you’re right. I get to put my feet in the water.

I get to live this life.
I get to write.
I get to love.
I get to tell stories.
I get to spend time with people.

I get to live.

Here’s to dipping our toes in the water and saying a whole-hearted yes to the big and small invitations that come our way.

We get to live.

Palms up.