thanksgiving 2017 album
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Tag Archives: large family
large family life; kids are always losing things
It’s mesmerizing outside; the air is cool and slightly damp, “it smells like rain” said Seth as he went out the door to wait for the bus. A most gentle of winds is bending leaves and branches and tree tops. The sky is light gray and easy on the eyes.
My husband is away this week on a business trip. I have found that planning a busy evening helps pass the hours until bedtime. The boys’ football practice was cancelled last night so we picked David up from soccer practice and headed to the mall. Three handsome sons had haircuts with a friendly six-foot barber who is getting to know them now after several visits. He asked them about their sports, their older brothers, called them each “my man” and gave them strong handshakes, bending near for a half hug and pats on the back, a big laugh, and smiles when they got down off the chair. The boys love it.
Then we had pretzels and sang to the radio on the way home in the dark.
It was 7:30 pm when we pulled in the driveway and David needed to finish up his homework. I was busy getting Seth and Sarah off to bed when I heard loud bangs and booms. The air crackled with frustration and anger; David couldn’t find his Very Important and Expensive calculator.
(Okay, so. Typically when the kids come to me and say, “Mom I can’t find my “whatever” small item, I simply don’t care in the least. I pretend like I care because I don’t want to hurt their feelings. I say, “Don’t worry, you’ll find it.” BECAUSE I KNOW for a fact that this THING they can’t find WILL show up. I think to myself: don’t even bother looking for it, child, you will come across it very soon. And sure enough, their lost item is, 99% of the time, found in a timely manner. )
However, this calculater was another, more urgent lost item, part of the remaining 1 %, and had to be located like, five minutes ago. Four of us had remembered seeing it with our very own eyes in the new football bin on the porch. The bin is so big that it can hold the football stuff AND several backpacks, a lawn chair, soccer balls, and old cleats. The last time we saw it, the calculator was on the bottom of the bin, after falling out of David’s backpack, but now to everyone’s horror it WASN’T THERE. David stormed around the house, inside and outside, looking for it. “SOMEONE TOOK IT!” he accused. He slumped on the couch and said impatiently to his brother, “What are YOU looking at?” He stomped upstairs and downstairs. Finally I said, “It HAS TO BE IN THE BIN!!! If we last saw it in the bin and none of us touched it, IT HAS TO STILL BE IN THE BIN!!!” Seth (who got out of bed because he “wanted to help”) looked in the bin, David looked in the bin three times, and I also looked in the bin. Hmmmm, it really was not there. I suggested other spots where it could be. No. Finally, I suggested calling their Dad. He didn’t answer, but called back about half (a long) hour later. We were all completely stressed out. “I don’t like it when David gets mad”, Seth confided in me. “My night is…. totally ruined,” I secretly thought dramatically to myself. “Ugh. That calculator was so expensive, too, I wonder if we should give him a new one next week for his birthday to replace it. He would LOVE that.”
HOWEVER……Rich knew what we were talking about right away. “I saw it on the bottom of that bin and put it in the front pocket of his book bag,” he said an an annoyed fatherly voice because he hates it when things aren’t put away where they are supposed to go. We hung up.
David stomped up to his room to look in his bag, again. There was a long silence. I was in the kitchen, pressing my hands to my mouth and willing myself not to ask. I finally called upstairs, “Did you find it?” “NO. IT’S NOT IN HERE.” he was still sounding very frustrated. What the heck?????
Then, I had a thought (through many years of problems, moms become amazingly brilliant at problem solving–if you remember, it was also my idea to call their Dad and ask him).
“Maybe he put it in Caleb’s bag by mistake.”
We rushed to find Caleb’s bag. We put it on the counter. We opened the first front pocket. No. We unzipped the second front pocket. And there it was. “Stupid” was for some reason the word that came from my mouth as I walked away. “Did you just call me stupid?” David asked. Then I laughed, “No, I guess I’m just calling this whole situation stupid.” The tension left the room.
By that time everyone else was in bed, the house was dark, all but a friendly glowing lamp. David and I each got our books and read together in quiet until 9:30. I interrupted the silence only once.
“Can you please keep your calculator in the main part of your backpack, zipped up, so it never falls out again?” He stared at me for a moment, I held my breath.
“Okay”, was all he calmly replied, looking back down to the page in his book.
******
Last week I was standing on the porch, busily brushing the dog. The kids were all at school. Clouds of fur lazily rolled across the porch and down the steps. I brushed one side and then the next. We didn’t talk. A light rain was falling. Then, all of a sudden, a little flock of juvenile blue birds came flying over the house and landed in the yard. My arm froze in mid-brushing. “I know I’m supposed to be brushing your fur, but would you mind if I got my camera?” I asked politely. He wagged his tail which I assumed meant, “Do whatever you want I’m gonna love you anyway and never ever get offended by anything you decide.” So I turn into the house and got my camera. As an apology, I let him take some of the photos. I thought they turned out pretty good.
****
Oh, one more quick story about kids losing things. Caleb has his own kindle and every once in a while when I think he’s been on it too much I take it in my room and hide it. Well, the two of us could not find it for days. And I’m thinking to myself, “I’m finally losing it. I can’t remember where I hid the thing. I can’t even remember hiding it.” Caleb was wandering around the house singing, “my kindle, my kindle” and it was putting me on edge. He even slyly searched David’s room. No luck. Finally we asked Sarah, who was upstairs playing in her room, if she knew where it was. “Seth has it. He took it to school. It’s in his backpack” Caleb and I stared at each other and then yelled downstairs to Seth. “Bring us your backpack, Seth. Where is Caleb’s kindle?” Seth looked so guilty, I rarely see a guilty expression on Seth’s face and it was ugly. Sure enough, the kindle was in Seth’s backpack and Seth had to go into my room for a talk. The point to this story is if you really can’t find something ask the youngest person in the family because 9 times out of 10 they know. They have amazing observation and memory skills. The other point is, when you feel like you’re finally losing your mind, 9 times out 10 –you’re not. It’s just that you have lots of kids and there is no limit to what can happen in a particular day.
PS, Mom? If you’re reading this? I can’t find my deodorant.
efforts on the last day of summer
“….a little boy grows up so fast….”
I was secretly calling Saturday the last day of summer because it was our oldest son’s last day at home before leaving for college the next morning. So I made the effort to take some photos of the ordinary family living that I hold so dear to my heart, knowing deep down that while life will go on just as beautiful and ordinary as ever, parts of it were ending and beginning anew in other parts of the world…….not too far, thankfully. Jacob and Ethan will be at college together in Vermont this year (3 hours away), and our sweet Grace will be in Pennslyvania (about five hours distance). As the children grow up, things within the home change, but the bond we have stays true, and the love we share will never die, and indeed, my deepest desire and hope is that it will continue to grow up and out as our family grows up and and out.
So these efforts were made by me in the realm of photography, and the only other effort I made personally was to be “hands off” on the day and let it be as normal as possible, because I have finally learned that while deep in my soul I am in a type of motherly mourning for the fleetness of the years, no one else in the family necessarily needs to know. 🙂
So what did we do? Jacob headed for work, sicker than a dog, and Rich left for the chiropractor’s with Ethan (they are both getting work done on their backs) and Caleb (who needed a hair cut after the doctor’s appointment).
Confession: somehow, even though I was truly trying, I just realized this morning that I took not one single photo of Grace, so I am inserting this one from last weekend, when I caught the sisters sharing a moment over pancakes. In reality, Grace was so busy on Saturday….she had driver’s practice in the morning, and then worked all afternoon until 7pm….that I somehow didn’t take any pictures of her.
The brightest red wildflower is in bloom down by the banks of our stream. It’s like a jungle down there so I can’t get as close as I’d like……
I watched busy buzzing bees collect pollen all over the wild and tall Joe Pye Weed and then, saw the most beautiful dragonfly I’d ever seen…..
RED! DARK RED!
with shimmering wings! I admired it until it flitted away.
Next to the garage we have a tiny wild pond where bullfrogs hang out all day. I enjoy sneaking around to spy on them and they always freeze like this and stare at me. I want to sit down there sometime and see what they REALLY do……
And then, the guys finally got home and went to work on Rich’s car. Yep, that was the real theme of the weekend; “Put The Motor In”.
Rich has been itching to do it all winter long and had big boxes in the house which were all delivered and saved carefully for The Day.
Nice haircut, Caleb.
Now get to work!
Nothing makes Rich more annoyed than not being able to find his tools because the children have been running off with them and not returning them to the proper place. Nothing that is, except maybe water running through the ceiling because Seth didn’t have the shower curtain in the bathtub and was getting water everywhere on the floor upstairs…..ask me how I know this…..so the first thing they did was find Dad’s tools, while Rich and Ethan organized and Sarah cleaned.
The car is under the tarp. Waiting for it’s motor.
I’m pretty sure this is it. 🙂
Sarah was very conscientious about sweeping the floor.
Seth wasn’t as conscientious about finding Dad’s tools.
David
Oh and Jacob was able to get out of work a little early and he went straight to bed, spending his last day at home SICK and asleep.
(I think it’s amusing that the dog is in a lot of these photos being ignored. But he gets his revenge later.)
Bringing the boxes out of the house (finally!) and into the garage.
Finally they were ready and the younger boys snuck away. David was called for duty now and then, but Ethan was the main helper of the entire day all the way up until it was too late to visit Tessa and he was secretly annoyed.
I mean, as his mother, I could sort of tell. But Rich, as his father, certainly didn’t care. He needed his son and Ethan has vacation days coming up this week to visit his girlfriend. (It reminded me of when Rich and I were dating all those summers ago and he had to bale hay all weekend for his dad while I was left to my own amusement at home…..so I took pity while Rich just felt like it was the only natural thing to do; helping Dad…there’s no way out of it, not even girlfriends.)
The younger boys hung out on the patio between the house and the garage.
And I found Sarah had vanished to her room to play the DS. So I sent her right back outside to enjoy the beautiful day.
They made a cake.
Eventually, hours and hours later, I picked the camera back up to take a picture of CHICKEN that I grilled myself……
And this is where the dog got his revenge for being “ignored//neglected” all day.
After we all ate, he stole the leftovers off the kitchen counter, eating the chicken and neatly leaving the sticks on the carpet in the living room. We all got mad because that was really good chicken and I had made a ton so we could enjoy the leftovers, not feed them to the dog.
We ended our day by watching TV on the couch in the dark, all tired out.
*****
This is where things get sad you might want to turn away.
I woke up at 5:30 on Sunday morning to see my son off. Rich was already awake and in the garage with his car but the rest of the family was asleep as Jacob finished packing his car to leave, although I did hear Seth stir and call out, “Bye, Jay!” from his bed, as he will greatly miss his big brother, too.
I followed him around, back and forth to the car and house, not unlike the dog, silently and with wishful eyes.
We hugged twice. We held it together.
It was a beautiful morning, with bits of pink in the sky.
I looked at his dear possessions everywhere in his car, that say “Jacob” to me in so many ways……his collection of hats from working at “LIDS” all summer….his new sneakers that I bought for him during a quick shopping trip we had together last week.
His music, his new fridge, all his clothes and books (he took a big box of books, which made me smile and touched my heart…I remember when he read them all…and sister Grace struggled with sharing some of them..namely the JRR Tolkien books…), my dear 20 year old son, how thankful I am that I had all of these years with you before you moved on to new adventures taking classes and playing football at college. I am blessed to call you son and friend. We’ve had such good times together, haven’t we? Your downstairs room in the basement is too quiet and still already but we’ll keep it ready for those visits back home!
“So the life of the true home flows on, sometimes in the bright sunshine, sometimes in the deep shadow; yet whether in the sunshine or in shadow it brings blessing. It shelters us in the day of storm. Its friendships remain true and loyal when adversity fails and other friendships are broken. It lays holy hands of benediction upon our heads as we go out to meet life’s struggles and duties. Its sacred influences keep us from many a mistake. Its memories are our richest inheritance. Its inspirations are the secret strength of our lives in days of toil and care. Then it teaches us to look toward heaven and the great Home in which all our hearts, hopes, and dreams shall be realized, and where the broken ties of earth shall be reunited.” JR Miller
boys on stilts
I smashed the screen of my iPhone last night when Rich and I were walking. I had whipped it out from my back pocket to check my steps for the day and it kept flying right out of my hand, landing face down on the road. It still works, but after a day of looking at it covered in hairline fractures it is a relief to be in front of my computer screen. The computer screen is so perfectly NOT broken!
Grace and I went to breakfast this morning after a morning of cleaning the house. Jacob stayed home and watched the rest of the kids. Grace and I took our books, of course. She is reading Mark Twain and I’m reading a biography of Jane Fonda of all things. (I recently read an autobiography by Doris Day, too) I found a new podcast to listen to that appeals to my “memoir” side, the side of me that LOVES learning about other people’s lives no matter how they lived it, which compelled me to pick up Fonda’s book at the library yesterday. The podcast is called “You must remember This” and it’s about first century Hollywood. Like most podcasts, not every episode is worth listening to but the few I have heard gave me a lot to think about in regards to the entertainment culture of that time period. There is nothing new under the sun!
One generation goes its way, the next one arrives,
but nothing changes—it’s business as usual for old
planet earth. Ecclesiastes 1:9
So anyways, we read and ate and then went to Goodwill where she found me a fiesta jumbo mug in cobalt for one dollar. I passed right by it! We shared a hug in the aisles of Goodwill. She found a cute little dress and I bought a few books, too. Then we went to the grocery store to get things for spaghetti because last night Rich came home and was so happy to step through the door into the house……to the smell of spaghetti. His eyes lit right up and he smiled big…….only it was roast pork and corn on the cob. So I promised him spaghetti today.
When we got home I put everything in the crock pot for a good sauce; homemade meatballs and chunks of sausage that David cut up for me, a big chopped onion, spices, and a big can of tomatoes.
Grace had her friends Brittany and Tessa over (who also happen to be Jacob’s girlfriend and Ethan’s girlfriend) to make homemade ice cream and I went for a power walk and was almost bitten by a dog. I was so scared. The owner was a very large man on his riding lawn mower who couldn’t be bothered to get off it and his dog (pit bull?) was not on his leash. The dog was following the man around as he mowed and then when he saw me, he ran full force at me, barking in a very scary way and came so close, I could feel it’s breath and mouth touch me as I clutched myself and stood very still…..I eventually got away while the large man simply yelled at his dog. The dog ran down the road at me a second time, barking. I didn’t know what to do. Should I call animal control and complain? The dog did everything but actually BITE me. When I had to turn around and walk back, I went into the woods to get past his house because I was so nervous. How ridiculous to have to do that!
Safely home now, and blogging from the chair in my bedroom. The house is completely clean; all beds made, bathrooms spotless, because the two maids came today (every Friday), dinner in the crock pot, so it feels extra wonderful to be able to relax. David is watching soccer videos on Youtube and the girls are upstairs now, visiting.
I’m posting photos today that I took last night when Caleb came in to say, “Mom come and see this”. I was tired so I said, as I got up off the couch, “This better be good.”
He was on stilts! Grace got them from Mrs. D at the HS when she helped her clean out the Drama Props Closet.
Thank you Mrs. D!
It was worth it!
David had to try. (you can see a small part of Caleb,too)
And there’s Sarah in her nightie ready for bed.
Big sis and big bro looking on……..
Seth wearing his watch that he got in his Subway kids meal.
Summertime + end of the day playtime outside = the BEST.
Ethan’s turn!
Parker is smiling! with his girl.
Sarah wanted to try getting on the stilts but I said “go put something on under your nightie first.” so she did, happily.
*****
THIS beautiful sunset sky is the reason why everything was pink last night.
Oh, how sweet the light of day,
And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!
Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted.
Take delight in each light-filled hour…….. Ecclesiastes 11:7 MSG
little graduation party
Grace graduated from HS a few weeks ago and we had a “plan B” celebration for her on Saturday.
We are just thankful things worked out and we even got to HAVE any kind of gathering at all. Ya know, life. It’s messy beautiful; surprising, chaotic, and crazy. A healthy sense of humor is the best thing to have when living life and raising children………
Laughter is carbonated holiness. -Anne Lammott
My brother Isaac took most of the pictures.
The weather was very nice, we had expected a day of thunder storms (so we set up the food tables in the house) but nothing eventful happened, only some lovely dark clouds at times and a nice downpour in the evening.
Grace had a wonderful time. In fact, we didn’t see much of her or the rest of the teens.
My brother Nathan and his wife Melissa were HUGE helpers!! They stayed here with us for two nights with Makayla and Greg and we very much enjoyed our visit with them.
My bestie Aunt Colleen and her girls also came out from NY —thank you!! Also Mom and Dad, my sister Amanda with her kids, and Isaac & Cassandra.
This was our third graduate in three years. David is a freshman this year so it will be a few years until the next graduate.
They had a long walk in the rain while the rest of us sat on the porch, relaxing and visiting.
Grace with her cake, 5 cousins, and 4 friends from school. They’re all so pretty with those bright smiles.
It is cheerful to God when you rejoice or laugh
from the bottom of your heart.
-Martin Luther King Jr.
clumped
photo by M
Just because I was sitting on the couch when right in front of me most of the family clumped together by the door to listen to Jacob tell a story to his Dad and all of a sudden I wanted a picture of my darlings just the way they appeared in the moment. M said, “I’ll take it so you can be in it, too.”
afternoon outing
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘The Present’.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
We had thirteen young ladies stay here overnight last night. They were from a NYC youth group traveling into New England to visit Six Flags, Lexington/Concord, and Vermont. We knew some of them from years of camp so it was an easy “yes” to host them overnight. Plus, they ate dinner before they came AND brought their own cereal and milk. Grace very much enjoyed the visit and sat in on their *before bed* devotions. I got lots of hugs this morning as they left in the rain…..thankfully it did clear up later on for their outdoor tour of historical battle grounds in Massachusetts.
After they left it was rather quiet, the maids came to do their weekly cleaning and the girls were asking for macaroni and cheese so I decided to take the kids to the diner just a couple miles down toward town.
David stayed at home and ended up using the time for a long bike ride.
The diner has old black and white photos of the town on the walls and the kids were thrilled to see their friend Logan arrive to eat lunch with his Grandpa, too.
The kids meals came with a free drink so Seth and Sarah chose hot chocolate, which meant they helped themselves freely to my coffee creamers….in no time at all we used up about 10 creamers. I told the kids the waitress should have just brought us the carton.
Waiting for the food is the most difficult part but thankfully it didn’t take long at all and the boys brought things to read.
You may not think so by his face but Caleb has been so appreciative of this magazine subscription….every month I get a thank you.
Grace read a book, too, by one of our favorite authors, Isabel Allende.
Sarah ❤
(I was sandwiched between the girls–such fun)
My lunch (actually, I had already eaten a salad at home so I simply HAD to get my favorite—strawberry sundae).
Sarah ate a pancake with french fries (I had to laugh when she ordered it) and the other three kids got hamburgers and fries.
It became the *thing to do* to keep passing around the ketchup. Seth and Sarah put it on their fries like toothpaste on a toothbrush.
Grace’s lunch.
Sarah had birthday money and bought this animal yesterday so she had to bring it everywhere with her today. It’s name was Lee Ann but she renamed her Rosie.
Seth’s is named Rufus.
I ate all my sundae and then offered “the rest” to Seth….and he completely enjoyed the melted remains (all 1 teaspoon).
Well, we were all happy and silly from a good lunch and decided to go antiquing at a “new to us” place in the next town over. I was thankful to have such fun friends along with me.
Right away I saw some HLC dishes, although not fiestaware, these are from the harlequin line. So pretty.
Seth saw some cool things, too!
I always like these needlework things. . . but didn’t buy any today.
Caleb found a Patriots football pennant and a football coin.
Between the three youngest children I admit I said, “Don’t touch” about 1,000 times which made for a good discussion with Grace on the way home. Did they touch things so much because I was obsessed with them not touching (and kept saying so)? We decided that in their immaturity, they had a hard time obeying my rule, but as they get older they will learn self-control and be more obedient. However, at the same time, there is also a truth that in the act of overstating/overemphasizing rules, we somehow make them more likely to be broken…..it’s simply human nature. (see Sarah’s arm on the right of the photo holding the sharp gardening tool?? yeah…….)
Tiny butter dish for a half stick of butter–so darling (didn’t buy).
This vintage kitchen towel was only 2.50 so I had to buy it (it has a small hole that I can easily stitch). (kids behind me….touching things….) I know I do need to lighten up some, as well.
I found a vintage fiesta lid! (no one understands why I had to get it). But I did!
Caleb’s Marshall Faulk coin (Rams football player).
NEXT STOP….I found more fiestaware but this collection was P86 (periwinkle, yellow, and ivory) and overpriced.
And then…..oh my goodness! They wouldn’t sell just the serving pieces (I asked) so I was simply FORCED to buy the whole lot, thankfully I did get a great deal on it.
ROSE fiestaware:
(back at home and unpacked) I am so pleased with these beautiful dishes, Rose is discontinued and so nice to have on Valentine’s Day. The mugs are not fiesta but still made by HLC (maybe restaurant ware? I have to look it up–but its the same glaze).
Kitchen towel, plus a vintage “radioactive” red fiesta mixing bowl (with chips) that I bought along with it at our first stop. They go good together, don’t they?
The kids were great…we stopped at the gas station to get drinks along the way and they watched “Garfield the movie” in the car while Grace and I went into the second shop together. (I couldn’t stand any more begging and touching).
When we got home Rich and Ethan had just arrived. They were able to leave work early and now its the start of a nice long weekend. They don’t have to go back to work until Tuesday. I had dinner ready in the crock pot so I was able to feed the hungry men right away.
David got home safe and sound from his long bike ride, all hot and exhausted. He said he “wasn’t going to do that again for two months.”
Ethan and Tessa are here, but Jacob is still at our friend’s house, as he is house sitting for them this week.
We are watching Little House on the Prairie and it’s super dark outside; a thunderstorm warning is in effect for the next hour or so and it’s raining.
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.” E.B. White
birds and a rainbow
It’s a bird morning! Every few minutes I find myself scanning the trees trying to see what I’m hearing. . . . .
Sarah is on the floor playing a game of SORRY with a stuffed animal friend.
David and Caleb are up the road with friends (they spent the night).
Grace is still asleep.
I haven’t been sleeping well. As it is, I’m easily disturbed, & it doesn’t help that the other night I was awakened by our orange cat Sherlock cornering a FROG in our room. I woke up hearing strange small noises which turned out to be the frog saying “help” the only way it knew. By the time I got to it it was very anxious and covered in dust, still very much alive and well. I threw it out the window along with the cat and then shut the window tight. . . .unfortunately now as wide awake as could be. Rich refused to move through all of this and stayed asleep, only asking once, “What is going on?” to which I replied sarcastically, “Don’t worry about it, I’m taking care of it!” But glad he was able to sleep through it as he’s been working so hard during the day.
Last night nothing like that was going on, but I kept waking up over and over. . . .finally getting up at six this morning with dry eyes. . . . . .
. . .to enjoy the bird morning!
And Grace’s bible that she left by the bench on the porch.
“But as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you–see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
*****
The other evening we had a rainbow. Sarah jumped up and down with glee.
Grace on the front steps, watching the sky.
Sunshine through fat raindrops.
The sky was doing beautiful things.
Now that life is calming down just a little (from a vacation with Rich, end of school excitement with a graduate, and a trip to NY) I’ve been puttering around the place, cleaning, and rearranging, catching up on household things.
And going for walks with the kids (mostly Grace). . . . .
baby bird
another baby bird
end of the day sunshine through the trees, on a walk with Rich
keeping an eye on Seth as he exaggeratedly looks “both ways” before he crosses the road (retrieving a baseball)
Yesterday was a gardening day. I took Grace to driver’s school and went to a nearby gardening place and bought three perennials. They were giving away some old annuals that looked sad so I was able to get some free plants to baby back to health; flowers, cabbages and leaks. Then later on Rich and I went to the home depot for three tomato plants (one yellow, one purple heirloom, and one cherry), cucumber, watermelon, two hanging baskets for the porch, and some petunias. I’ve already got all but a few of them planted.
music and slideshow
(MUSIC)
We took so many photos that I thought it would be fun to put them in a slide show along with music to listen to if you would like, while you look at the pictures.
We had the party at my parent’s house “up on the hill” where mom and her sisters grew up. We all have deep roots in this land, farm land, quiet country, woods, blueberries, birds, so many memories….all of it.
We had chicken BBQ (thank you Dave and Maria for all your work to make this happen!)
Kids played together as a pack; croquet, football, chalk on the driveway, running wild.
Mom was overcome with emotions a few times, just so happy to have all the people she loves the most with her.
One of my favorite memories was when sister Amanda and I were off by ourselves lost in conversation and Mom appeared wanting us back with her. “You’ll have to leave soon and I want you with me!”
Cousin Erika made the birthday cake, I sure wish I had a piece with me right now while I write this post.
All she wanted for her birthday was her family. And that’s what happened! What a great day for a great lady.
Happy Birthday to our beautiful Cindy, Mom, Sister, Grandma, & Aunt. You wear many hats and we’re thankful for who you are in our lives.
(with a photo of her first birthday)
at the present time
“forever is composed of nows.” Emily Dickenson
Now: recovering from a mild concussion, “pink shorts/don’t care”, having fun with a neighbor-friend (who arrived wearing his shirt), fried chicken party from mom in the kitchen, swimming in the pond, lacrosse in the yard.
Now: another summertime for romance
Now: with a little adoring sister who loves her, too.
Now: freedom to soar, to fly, to play
to laugh.
Now, with a faithful furry friend or two.
Now: time for graduation parties, a dear cousin, a loving family, and yummy food.
Now, sisters.
Now: contemplating a secret recipe, sleuthing, enjoying.
Now: for oops and for trying your best to recover what you lost.
Now: innocent childhood, cousins, holding hands, exploring magical places.
Now is the time for youth, skipping stones, bare feet, a mama who adores you.
Now: a tire swing hung from an old apple tree, and glow stick bracelets, and soft green grass.
Now: a trip back home to where your Dad grew up, climbing trees, flowers in the garden.
Now: for memories, for listening, for fathers and daughters.
Now; driving four hours to get back in time to watch your boy play baseball.
Now; cheerful friends, watching the boys play, music, blazing sunshine.
Now time to go home and fall into bed with that delicious “by God’s grace I did it all” feeling, and “it was very good”.
*****
And now it’s time for me to do lots of laundry in a ponytail, shorts and bare feet, with a dear son at home, thinking of the children at school taking finals, planning a graduation party, looking forward and not backward, reading and praying, talking to Jesus, a song or two, thankful always, with love all around. . . . . . .
Philippians 3:13 “… I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on. . .”
Good to be Home 