Recently I saw a show about how the Smithsonian Museum is restoring the Jefferson Bible. Having not heard of the Jefferson Bible before I found it completely fascinating. Jefferson painstakingly cut apart bibles in several different languages  to create his version of Jesus’ life without all the miracles and Jesus’s ascension.

I thought wouldn’t it be nice if the Book of Life were like that, only in reverse. We could keep all the happy and wonderful parts, and discard all the bad.

If you read my previous blog you know that last week my aunt passed away in a car accident, and that she had told me she wanted all her nieces and nephews to connect. For two days we did. We spent time reminiscing about growing up and catching up on what our families were doing. Many of us realized that we hadn’t seen each other in 20 or more years.  We had all had families of our own and time really got away from us.  It was so nice reconnecting and remembering that my family was so much bigger than just those I spend the most time with. That part I would keep in my Book of Life.

But at the same time we were saying goodbye to an aunt we all truly loved.  I saw my mom and aunt and uncle say goodbye to their baby sister. I saw my three cousins say goodbye to their mom. And I saw my uncle say goodbye the the love of his life of 40 years. This part I would love to cut out of my Book of Life.

There are so many good things going on in the world that are too often overshadowed by events we have absolutely no control over.  I would love to cut out of my Book of Life the first ten minutes of the news every day, because more often than not, it is sad.  Just give me the weather and sports.

I realize that it is totally unrealistic to have a Book of Life that is only happy, wonderful events.  We’ve all heard that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.  Well, right now I’d say he must think we are some pretty strong people, because he’s giving us a lot.

Eventhough my Book of Life is still overflowing with wonderful events, it are these occasional events that God thinks I can handle that really test me.

My aunt’s family’s wish in lieu of flowers was that we hug our loved ones everyday.  As we were witness to this week, life is short and you just don’t know when it will be the last page in your own personal Book of Life.