I had an humbling experience this weekend that reminded me how fragile life is– and how people that need what you have to offer can actually be gifts from God.

It all started several weeks ago at my local chamber of commerce where I was the featured speaker. My goal is to make every presentation that I do to be uplifting and make people glad they took the time to listen to what I have to say. This time I gave suggestions on ways people can make special keepsakes from pictures  they’ve taken, and they could  give these keepsakes  as gifts. I  announced I would be having a workshop where participants could make their own little personal keepsake albums which I call Joy Books. I actually got the name for the album from my niece, whose name is Joy.  Joy keeps special pictures and mementos in a folder which she calls her Joy book. These are things that make her happy when she looks at them. And the name fits  the purpose of the album–to bring joy when its viewed.  I had sign-ups, that day at the chamber, that reached my capacity, but left an opening for one more person.

As time got closer, several people had things come up where they couldn’t come on the scheduled date, so they had to cancel. That didn’t bother me as I’m not a person moved by the numbers. Usually the workshops I host are either at or over capacity, so if I happen to have ones where I have fewer people, I’m not concerned as more attention can be given to the few.

A friend from the chamber called the day before the workshop to ask if she could bring someone new as a last minute add-on. I had space so I said sure.

She showed up at noon Saturday and I was surprised to see a young girl with her–13- year- old Sarah, who was clutching a Walgreen’s photo envelope of pictures. Sarah, my friend explained, had suddenly and unexpectedly lost her mother just a few days before.  And Sarah wanted to make a keepsake album honoring special times shared with her mother and other family members, and have that album with her for her mom’s service (which was today).
I was stunned. This child had just lost her mother? Took me a second to grasp the reality of that. Oh my God!  Losing my own mother as an adult was difficult, but here’s a mere child –now without her mother? That tore my heart.

I worked with Sarah and  friend for the next 3 hours, creating their memory albums. Oddly, or rather not, they were the only two that came to the workshop. I got to know a little more about  Sarah as we worked on her keepsake–That she and her  brother would now be living with grandparents.  That she loved photography, wanted to learn more about it,  and that she liked creating inspirational type pictures.

At the completion of class, she had a beautiful book of memories. And we had exchanged information so that I could keep in contact with her, and also so that she could participate in future photography workshops.

I am humbled that God knew He could trust me with providing a bit of light to this hurting child at such a difficult time. I was humbled that my friend would bring her to me, and humbled that Sarah would agree to come– to some lady’s house that she didn’t even know.