There are things that change us forever, and when they happen, we know it. It may be something as simple as a conversation, or as catastrophic as a hurricane.

There are three things that have changed me in the last year. Three "a-ha moments", as Oprah likes to say. (Okay, so she coined a good phrase. She still kinda bugs me though.)

I'll start with the earliest one, which I gleaned while on bedrest with my last pregnancy. My two friends, Rachel and Debbie rallied to the cause. They did everything they could think of to entertain me while I was confined. They brought me dvds, books, snacks, etc. They went back and read all my old blog entries, looking for hints about what I might like. They were so incredibly thoughtful, and it made me wonder when was the last time I was that thoughtful? My two good friends taught me how to be a better friend, and I will never forget that lesson.

My second moment was not that long ago, and it was through a conversation with my mother. We were talking about some new friends of the family, Pat and Ronnie and their daughter Natalie. They have befriended my aunt and grandmother, and through them, the entire rest of the family. They are so generous and welcoming, and sincere. They loved me before they even knew me, so when I met them, it was like I'd known them forever. They read this blog (hey guys!). Mom and I were marveling over them, and she said, "You know, they have it figured out. They know that you get out what you put into life." And it's true. They have given so much to our family, and in return, they are greatly loved and cherished. Wow. If you want love, you should give it. Great lesson.

The third and most recent lesson has been through Hurricane Katrina. It is about compassion and service. It took a hurricane to open my eyes to the needs of those less fortunate than me. It took a hurricane to strip away the racial lines that I didn't even realize I'd drawn. It took a hurricane to break my heart, to get me out of my own little world. I don't ever want it to take something so devestating again. And I don't ever want to draw racial lines in my mind again.

That was kind of hard to admit.

I'm glad for the chance to be better. Sometimes I feel like I'm living from one a-ha moment to the next, steadily working toward the person I want to be. I have so far to go, but each time I see something to fix in myself, I rejoice. I want those defective pieces of my soul pruned away, until what is left is pleasing to God.

I know this might seem an odd time to say this, but I love life. I really do. It's not perfect. It's not fair. And sometimes it hurts beyond measure. But it is ours to do with what we will. We are given a chance to exist, a taste of mortality before immortality. We don't know what a gift that is. I am grateful to be part of this complex, sometimes frustrating, but always beautiful thing called Life.

That's all for now. Saturday awaits.