When I Grow Up I Want to be Like Bri

Can I just say once again that I hope to be a ‘yes’ person. Looking at how my niece, Briana, lives her life inspires me to engage and connect. It is something that I talk about often but that is because it is such a desire of mine. There are those of us who wall ourselves off and others who reach out and get involved. Bri is the one in the family that is close to everyone because she makes it happen. Last night, she drove almost an hour each way to be at Natalie’s birthday celebration. Our son is closest to Bri because of her efforts to be in their lives and their kid’s lives. I love that about her. How she lives her life is my ideal. Through Facebook I can see that she is hiking, skiing, spending time with friends and family. In other words, Bri is saying ‘yes’ to life and to other people in her life. Our Ryan was like that. Close to everyone, never meeting a stranger, and getting involved. I so admire people who have that personality. They are the ones who make connections happen even with the ‘nah, not today’ people like me. Thank God for them stretching us to do more and spend time with them. My hope is that Bri realizes the impact she has on the rest of us and never convinces herself that because we aren’t making the plans that we don’t want to go and be with her on her adventures. What a gift my niece is to me and to all of us.

In Him,
Joyful
4-7-19