My Memorial Day

I sat on the porch today spending much of the afternoon celebrating Memorial Day simply, recognizing the privilege of watching my daughter and son laughing and swinging together on the hammock in the backyard. I was reminded that my list of blessings is so big that they cannot be counted.

My next thought meandered to my dad, as I considered the graces granted in my life. He who has already lived longer than his COPD and Dementia diagnoses would have suggested. He who lives on, because battling through life is no longer necessary.

Since my dad (thankfully) lived through his time in combat, he technically is not celebrated by the country today for his military time. But like many Americans, I sort of lump Memorial Day and Veterans Day together, but not out of disrespect for those who have lost their lives during their service. The reason is two-fold. First, two days is not nearly enough time to recognize the many men and women who have served and those who are actively serving for us. And secondly, my dad still defends his country nightly. Often it's through his recurrent, disturbing dreams as he continues to fight for his life and mine and yours.

The blessing I ask for today for him is for restful sleep, free of bad dreams, and full of Goodness because, you my sweet daddy, and so many others like you, deserve it.

Another Loving Mother

One of my dear friends held a fundraiser this week to increase awareness about Childhood Apraxia of Speech http://www.apraxia-kids.org/ . It was a great evening with many wonderful people attending to support her and her family's journey, and also hear about about this frustrating speech disorder.

Like all the attendees I learned much about apraxia and the need for ongoing research to find a cure. But the most important lesson I took away was that while this impairment is strong and challenging, it cannot even touch the amazing force found in a parent's love for her child.

While my friend's youngest son (along with many other precious children--since it's being diagnosed more often) daily battles with finding his words, he is a most fortunate one because his voice is already being heard. That's not only because he works so hard every day using his precious, positive spirit during his rigorous therapy sessions and at-home practice, but also due to the crucial fact he has a mom and dad who have a love for him that is way more powerful than this thing called apraxia.



Here's a few ways that we can all help...
http://www.apraxia-kids.org/how-to-help/donations/

Two Years Later, A Blog Post (worth the wait, I hope)

Much has been said about timing and waiting. There are thousands of phrases taught from our parents, some come from sermons, while others are just classic wisdom that teachers, musicians, or other everyday sages felt the need to impart, knowing that most humans need continuous reminders (my hand's raised) to remind, encourage, even warn us about the frustrations and pitfalls of impatience. Some of the most famous sayings that come to my mind are . . .

Good things come to those who wait.

The waiting is the hardest part.

Tough times never last, but tough people do.

If it's worth having, it's worth waiting for.

My friends and family know that we've had our own hurry-up-and-wait game for the past four and a half years since moving to Boone. While holding out for our old house to sell and then searching for the past year for the happiest home for us, looks like our patience will pay off.
How's it worked out? Well, I personally couldn't have scripted it any better. It's a long special story, worthy of a cold beverage on a pretty covered porch on a warm day (come on over in a few months after we're moved in and I'll tell you the tale).

This week and in past months, I've reflected repeatedly on a pretty well-known timing quote: Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. So why was I made to wait for what seemed so long? I've asked that many times. Was it to give me my extra share of that "gift" that I wasn't given naturally? Perhaps, because I have told my story of waiting with many of you. I'm not sure of all the why's behind the wait, but I do know many lessons have been learned. And on top of that, I've even met new friends because of it--what a wonderful present as a result!

As my husband and I look for the fast-approaching hurdles to jump through--less than a month from closing on our new home--another kind of wait begins. I already know I'll have to tell myself more than once Patience, young grasshopper. While we're collecting boxes, crossing our fingers through inspections, appraisals, etc., I get to play the waiting game again. But now I'm praying that things will slow down---because we sure have a lot of packing to do. But don't worry about me this time because now I know...

Time is on our side, yes it is.