We woke this morning to happy booming children, footy pajamas, smiles. In a flash, the phone rang. @La Gringa’s grandmother died in the night. Although not very close to her Grammy, the reminder of life and death came through the phone with my mother-in-law, stable, calm and sad. Mexican families mourn more outwardly.

By Noon, my son was in tears. A boy didn’t want to be his friend. Why? Because. That’s all. In a flurry, the rush of emotions came over my boy and the other sweet boy. Then, in a flash, the boys were playing again. Do boys rebound that quickly from pain? I took a few more hours to recover.

At 4 p.m., In a flash, I find out that a woman I know now sleeping in her car with her 5-year-old son. The economy, she says, did her in. She lost the room she was renting. They are *physically* cold. I have never been so embarrassed about having a big, warm home.

Before 9 p.m., I’d received an email about a boy that had died driving home from the *exact* soccer tournament my kids played in this weekend. I don’t think there are even words for it. In a flash, a boy played soccer, then died. It could have been us. Oh, it could have been us so easily. You can help his family here: http://www.santaclarasporting.com/

I’m reminded again to live in the very moment. Life passes in a flash.