The purpose of life.... eat snickers bars!

When Gracie was five, she witnessed a verbal altercation between her sister and me that was frightening to her. She was a gentle child, one who never heard a harsh word spoken in her direction because none was needed. On the occasion mentioned, she'd positioned herself between us and was trying to get my attention. In my frustration, I barked at her to wait until I was finished talking with Erin. She was startled, and ran away in tears. I was ashamed of myself for frightening this precious little soul, and went in search of her. She had gotten herself into bed, and was hiding under the covers. I lay down beside her and told her that I was sorry that I'd yelled at her. She poked her head out of the covers and turned her big brown eyes on me. "Do you know the whole point to life?" she asked. I was taken aback by the question so, not knowing quite how to answer, I simply said, "Well, to love you." She looked right at me with solemn eyes piercing my soul and said, "It's to love your whole family." Wow. Such wisdom from one so young!
I learned from Grace that day what the purpose to life is. At least for me. I'd grown up hearing that the purpose of this life was to prepare to meet God. I've never been particularly interested in meeting God. I don't know him much, and many of the stories about him portray a being I don't think I'd like. So that purpose didn't do much to motivate me to better myself. But Grace's inspired words pointed me in the way I'd like to go. Toward a more loving relationship with my family.
This whole purpose of life question is a biggie. Many people think they know what the answer is, and they love to witness to the rest of us ignoramuses. I don't think I know anything, or much of anything anyway. And I'm not interested in witnessing to anybody. To each his own, I say. With a caveat..... if you can't love your neighbor, at least treat him or her with dignity and respect. Basically, we are here to learn to truly care for one another, to sacrifice for one another, to give of our time and talents to lifting one another. I don't know who is in charge of this whole operation, and I'm not convinced that he or she is watching our every move and orchestrating little miracles for us like finding lost car keys. But I do think someone or something pretty powerful created us and our world, and is giving us this amazing mortal experience in which we get to see if we can really, really and truly, learn to love other people. And it's not an easy task. Some people are god-awful and difficult to love. Or even tolerate. I'm related to some of those people! And my task while in this earthly state is to learn to love them, the unlovable! As well as love the easy to love, like Grace.
Several years ago, Madonna said in an interview that she valued marriage because it teaches us how to relate to one person at a time, to really come to understand this person's positions and values, and to learn to love them in spite of the difficulties marriage brings. She said that if we can each do that in our marriage, we would be better prepared to be citizens of the world and would be able to take those abilities we'd gained out into relationships that determine the state of our local communities, states, nations, and the world. We could change the world by working to be a better partner in our marriage. That's something everyone can do, because it isn't just married people who have opportunities to participate in relationships where they gain the skills necessary to change the world. The point is, it's how we interact with those closest to us that affects change on a broader scale. Which brings me back to the purpose of life.
It's the relationships we have here in this life that mean the most in the long-term. Not the houses we live in, or the cars we drive, or the vacations we are able to afford. The people we love, they are who matter. Building a house where we are all able to feel at home, driving a car big enough to get us from point A to point B with enough space that we don't kick each other into misery (and with a really great sound system to listen to Queen), going on vacations together as a family that offer bonding moments memorable enough to be spoken of lovingly at the dinner table for many years to come! (The silliness must stop!)
I don't know what comes after this life, and I don't really think much about it as it isn't the reality staring me in the face today. But I believe that I will know all of these amazing people who have had a place in my life here. I believe that wherever we are, we will always remember each other for who we were to each other here. I will always be Mom to Erin, Alix, Nathaniel, and Grace. And I will proudly say they were the children I was honored to parent while on earth. And everytime I see them or hear of them, I will smile and remember something sweet and silly about each one. And I will always be Daron's wife, the person by his side through much of his earthly sojourn. And he will always be the one who got me through it all, the strong bearded one at my side, who sometimes laughs at my jokes, who always makes me think he's lucky to have me. I have a great life; thinking about all I have fills my heart with snickers bars. (My favorite candy) I'm trying to take a moment each day to reflect on how lucky, fortunate, and yes, blessed I am to have what I have. I think I gave birth to 4 of my best friends!! After marrying my very best friend, that is. And they form the purpose of life for me.
Thanks, guys, for a wonderful Sunday afternoon! I'm looking forward to many more to come!