Finding Grace

by Loretta Rothschild

It isn’t your life that flashes before your eyes when you’re about to die. It’s the life you thought you were going to have, just before it’s snatched away from you forever.

But love wasn’t measured by its ending. It was every cup of coffee, broken boiler, empty crisp packet, and train ride. It was every hangover, stubbed toe, high temperature, nasty splinter, and burned tongue. Every eye roll, private joke, and piece of burned toast. Every morning cuddle and blunt pencil. Every kiss good night, every lost key, sore throat, afternoon nap, and sip of tea. Every birthday, hot shower, cold swim, paper cut, chesty cough, mosquito bite, and bee sting. Every lost bookmark, orgasm, funeral, traffic jam, and bite of cake. Every missed flight, snarky comment, haircut, and unmade bed. Every first step, endless holiday, mediocre film, sunrise, and poo-bag. Every missed connection, miscarriage, and resentful walk. Every wobbly table, broken heart, treasured photograph, and lingering kiss. Every wedding, toothache, and waiting room. Every school drop-off. Every single day.

This is the entire point. It’s so easy to get caught up in the routine and not see the good in every moment. The little things are a privilege and I am grateful this book reminded me of that.