Measuring a Life

One of my favorite quotes goes like this: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." It is really something to think about because life is just so big. So big that one may not know how to go about measuring it, at all, but when you consider it in this manner, life becomes something that is not only measurable, but memorable.

What takes your breath away; Black and white pictures? A baby's laughter? Long, slow kisses? Maybe your breath falters when your favorite football team wins a big game, or when you watch a ballet in person, or perhaps it's simply watching a sunset from your porch swing . . .

My breath is stolen when an entire stage of my life can be summed up in one sentence in a book, when a certain brown eyed boy wants to talk to me about something he needs advice on, when a family gathering involves the Laughman's from Georgia, the Duncan's from Kentucky, the Dotson's from Colorado, and the Duff's from Ohio.

Breath escapes me when when my parents tell me they are proud of me, when Belle and Braden run to hug me, when I'm singing praise to Him in a room on Sundays, in my car on the way to school, and in the shower when I think no one hears me.

Breath is stolen from me when I'm crying from laughter with girlfriends, when I'm reaching someone with my words, when I wake up every morning to a fresh day.

My life is measured by moments of photographs framed on shelves, by rainbows in the summertime, by those Northern Lights over my back porch that one night in high school.

My life is measured by deep conversations that are unexpected, by watching kids be kids in a world that often demands they be grown, by knowing people with unwavering faith in Someone that cannot always be seen.

My life is measured by moments of unconditional love that is not always deserved, sometimes unappreciated, and often taken for granted.

My life is measured by smiles, inside jokes, and stolen, knowing glances.

My life is measured by private moments with pen and paper, stifled tears of gratitude in the dark, and knowing that out there is an entire future waiting for me to get in the driver's seat.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Just thinking about this takes my breath away . . .

So, what takes your breath away? How is your life being measured?

-Stephi D.