People often ask, “Aren’t you afraid you’ll have to go through grief again when one of you dies?”

We’ve learned from our own losses how quickly things can change. How like a flash that sometimes taken-for-granted clutch of the other’s hand, the warm hug, snuggles in bed at night can vanish.

We tell them we are grateful for every moment we have with each other and consider it a gift for what ever time is allotted to us. Instead of focusing on the length of time together, enjoy every minute. We enjoy being a servant to the other. We treasure life itself. There is so much every day to be thankful for.

One day, one of us will leave earth for heaven. It will be difficult, but it’s useless to worry about something that will eventually happen. We choose to enjoy the time granted to us, grateful for every shared instant.

The above is an excerpt from my newest unpublished book, tentatively titled, Second Chance at Love: What to Consider Before Marrying Again. It’s true, the question above is often asked. Do I worry about losing my husband, Jim? I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say I think about it. More often, I think about my own mortality, for I know with each passing day, month, and year it is getting closer to meeting my heavenly Father.

In the meantime, I will focus on the gift of life. Today is the last day in May. We won’t see this month again until 2020.We don’t know what might happen in the next year. Will there be a loss of health? A loved one? A job? A home? A beloved pet? We don’t know, but until then, I will enjoy the gift of life from my heavenly Father. The gift of Jim. The gift of family. The gift of a new season approaching, summer.

I often return to one of my favorite Psalms when I think about my own mortality and the ones I love so much:

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

This is the last day of May. We’re closer than ever to summer. The flowers will lose their brightness that Spring brings, to the softer, muted colors of Summer.

Grief has its seasons, too. I’m not sure what season your grief is in, but you can trust God is with you. Perhaps this season, you will experience joy.