Ordinary Miracle

It's not that unusual

When everything is beautiful

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow

Don't need to teach a seed to grow

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say

Wrapped up for you everyday

Open up, and find a way

To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable?

Like everytime a raindrop falls

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

The birds in winter have their fling

And always make it home by spring

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday

Please don't throw your dreams away

Hold them close to your heart

'Cause we are all a part

Do you want to see a miracle

It seems so exceptional

That things work out after all

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

The sun comes out and shines so bright

And disappears again at night

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

Who doesn't love a little Sarah McLachlan? I used to listen to her for hours when I was in high school.  But for some reason over the years I just lost touch with her music until recently.  I came across this song tonight, this was one of my favorites.  Mostly because of the simplicity of the tone, music and words.  As I was concentrating on the lyrics I was pondering on my own "ordinary miracles" of my life.  I don't believe I have ever thought of my life as seeing any kind of miracles.  I tend to focus on those things which I have lost, never had, or will never have.  I can't say that's really a fun way to live.  But it's been extremely difficult for me to retrain myself to not self reflect in that way.  However when we find the strength to look outside of our self, our pain, and our affliction it can be a very enlightening experience.

Alex's life and death has caused me to really evaluate the purpose of life, or more specifically my life.  I will never find the answers to my burning questions of why I had to endure the death of my first born child, why wasn't he meant to stay, why do other children with this disease manage to survive? Why wasn't the miracle of healing granted to him when it's granted to so many others? Our lives are full of unanswered questions.  Sometimes those unanswered questions can be debilitating, frustrating, angering, and often times cause us to feel even more lonely.  

Each of us has our own unique life.  No same two people have the exact same experiences.  In that sense it can make for a lonely existence but if we can truly dig deep within ourselves to find those "ordinary miracles" it helps us to realize our path and life is not lived alone.  The simple miracles of my life are, I have 3 living, beautiful children, a marriage that has been able to survive some unbearable burdens, a chance to know my son: to be there for his first as well as his last breathe. I have an amazing sister who has been my biggest fan and supporter. I possess the knowledge that I am not alone in this life. My list can go on and on.  

The more that I can accept that my life is just ordinary I can try and lift myself out of my unordinary circumstances.  All the troubles, pain, and heartache need to be replaced with gratitude, hope, faith and unfailing love.  I guess the one thing each of us has in common are our possession of "ordinary miracles" and once we can recognize them then we are instantly given the power to carry out our dreams, to live the life that was meant for each of us. Mistakes of course will be made, but we can take comfort in knowing "that things worked out after all." Life is an experience, we get one shot at it, and therefore I am slowly learning to cherish it rather than curse it.  Life truly is a gift "wrapped up for us everyday" and I have finally figured out that the only way I can enjoy my gift is to give myself back to my life.  Please go and find your own "ordinary miracles" and enrich your life and the lives of those around you.

Ordinary Miracle (click link for song)