A Picture

I have a new favorite picture. It was taken on Memorial Day weekend at a family reunion. They say that, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Well this one is worth a thousand books. I look at it whenever I need a reminder of what life is all about. 

In the background is a family graveyard with fresh flowers placed everywhere. The sun is shining through the trees and glistening off the stones with a glorious light. In the front of the picture in the shade of the trees is my daughter. She is holding her 2 year old cousin in her arms and gently kissing her on the cheek. This single picture holds so much. There is beautiful nature, flowers, sunshine, and trees. There is life, death, remembrance, and the promise of an even greater life after this one. There is renewal, youth, and growing up. There is hugs, kisses, joy, and laughter. There is family, caring, and sharing. There is wonderful togetherness. There is light, shadow, happiness and sadness. Most of all, though, there is love. There is love for those who have passed and for those who remain. There is love for life and love for each other. There is also our love for God and God’s love for us. I can’t help but feel that Heaven must have been smiling down when this picture was taken. It was one of those glorious moments of love that God meant for us to live. 

Life is a series of pictures. It is moments of love chosen and cherished. It is wonderful memories created and enjoyed. It is instances when we share laughter, bring joy, offer kindness, give goodness, and deliver delight from our hearts and souls. It is times when we think, learn, pray, and grow. It is seconds when we finally begin to realize what we are truly here for and what life is really about. May all of your pictures be happy ones then. May they all be taken with love. And may you always feel Heaven smiling down upon them.

Joseph Mazella