I know this isn’t what you’re expecting today, but this is real life right now: On top of the inevitable “holiday busy-ness” and all that comes with having extra family in our home (which we are so grateful for – honestly a huge blessing in so many ways) and having a new puppy that isn’t fully potty-trained yet … there has been so much more going on.

Our sweet 14-year-old friend fell out of a second story window and literally broke her spine in half just before Christmas. She is not expected to walk again but we are truly grateful she is still with us.

This week we learned that a close family member has stage 4 colorectal cancer. Stage stinking 4.

We also learned of another friend who has stage 4 esophageal cancer. He is 31 and father to 2 young children.

I’m not ready to share anything more at this point about either situation but my purpose in even mentioning these things is because it has prompted me to give you this specific “feedback” today:

Time is wasted if we are holding grudges or being judgmental or treating others unkindly. Life is too short to nit-pick and criticize. We truly do not know when someone we love (or even just like) will no longer be with us here in this lifetime. Please treat others with nothing less than respect and kindness. Please take the time to truly nurture those relationships that are most important. Focus on your family. Hold on to them tight. Be absolutely certain they know you love them.

I am mentally and emotionally preoccupied in various directions right now and my head is foggy, but it’s times like this that I am especially grateful for my faith and my personal testimony of God’s plan.

My “regular” Feedback Friday will return January 6. Next week you can also expect some blogging about scrapbook organization that I mentioned earlier, as well as an update on the Signature Binders (on their way + very close) and other products that are being replenished soon.