Who Left the Light On?

I can see clearly down the hallway to my family room when I'm standing in the kitchen.

More than a few times this past couple of weeks, I've looked down that hallway and noticed the light was on in the family room.

I always shake my head, wondering how that could have happened.

We rarely use that room, except when it's really cold and I want to sit by the fire.

It's where the suit of armor I inherited from my Dad stands next to my fireplace. His name is George.

It's where I keep my collection of Stephen King books (many of them inherited from Dad when he passed).

And on that same bookshelf I now display photos of Mom as a baby and a senior in high school.

There are a lot of memories in that room.

I'm not quite sure how the light keeps getting turned on.

If my boys are around when I notice it, I ask them. But they are teenagers, and of course they don't remember.

I'm sure sometimes it's me who leaves the light on, as I'm tidying up the house and putting things away.

When I notice it, I walk down the hall to turn it off.

And I pause a moment.

• I smile at George.

• I take in the bookshelf and the picture frames sitting on top of it.

• I think about life and the journey it has been.

I wonder if maybe I should spend more time in there.

I'm a believer in signs. And that we are put in certain situations because we are meant to be there.

Sometimes life turns on the lights so we can see those situations more clearly.

Today we're having a celebration of life for my mom, who passed away a couple of months ago.

It's been a complicated journey for me with her. But today will be about remembering the good times and being with my closest family members.

Life hasn't been easy. For many of us in my family.

I know we're not unique in that, though. Struggle is everywhere.

For some people, it stays hidden in the darkest places, where no one can see it.

Until you turn on the lights.

Or they get turned on for you. Inexplicably, without warning.

And then it becomes clear. All of the details are exposed.

The parts of life that make you smile, and the parts that make you want to cry.

I may never know how that light in my family room keeps getting turned on.

"Who left the light on?" will continue to be a common question in my house I'm sure.

So I will just embrace it and appreciate that it makes me step into that room and reflect.

When those lights get turned on in your life, look first for the things that make you smile.

Remember the times in your life that changed you...for the better.

And take pride in the ways you've worked through the hard stuff. Use what you've learned to keep moving forward.

Let the light shine on all of it.

There's so much there to see.