I wake this morning, after a night in my comfortable bed and safe from harm, to a cool Monday morning sipping coffee and planning the activities of my day. Most Monday mornings are spent rushing around getting ready for work and enjoying a busy day full of things I choose to do. Today, however, is Memorial Day. An early summer day that many, including myself, will get to enjoy off to be with our families and friends.
When I was a child, I remember that on this day we would travel to my mother's home town, stop at the same greenhouse, and then drive to the cemetery to place red geraniums on the grave of someone I didn't know - her father. Her father had died in a war as a young man serving his country. I had no idea why we were doing it, I just knew that when this day came each year that was the plan. I am now 44 years old and it wasn't until recently that the reality of what we had faithfully done those many years ago struck me with brilliant clarity.
I had never had the opportunity to meet this man who gave his life for his country, as he had given the ultimate sacrifice when my mother was just a girl. Never before had a pondered the grief and struggles of my grandmother, a young woman with five young children, left to heal their hurting souls and her own, and manage to go on without him. The realization that many, many families have had to endure this pain and sacrifice through the generations has made to truly realize what a gift these young men and women were and we should remember them today, and everyday that we walk in our freedom.
Yesterday as my husband and I were driving along a rural country highway, through several small towns, we saw American flags flying from nearly every home in these communities nestled among the corn fields. But the most striking display could be seen nearly a mile away at a cemetery in the middle of nowhere. There, they had rows and rows, at least 50, tall flagpoles waving the red, white and blue banners of our freedom and independence. With the setting of the early evening sun providing the amazing amber backdrop for this image tears came to my eyes as I remembered those who had fallen for our freedom. It was truly one of the most amazing displays I have ever seen and I thank Our Lord and Father that he led me down that path last night.
Today, as you enjoy your day off, I encourage you to take a few minutes and say a prayer of thanksgiving that you live in the land of the free. Pray for the families whose soldiers have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Even if you do not believe in war, say a prayer of support for the safety of our soldiers who are serving in the way that our God has called them. Pray for their families back home who struggle to maintain the family while they are away. And, as always, pray for their safe return.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Thoughts from a soon-to-be Grandma
Life is good. Life is full - full of blessings, gifts and treasures of the heart.
It has been a truly full week at our household. On Mother's Day we received the news that we are going to be grandparents! Now, I have been looking forward to being a grandparent for quite a while-even though my children are only in their early twenties and it seems like only yesterday I was a new parent myself. It is exciting for me to be able to see those little ones I brought home from the hospital (and no clue what to do next) spread their wings, create their own nest and move on to the next step of their journey and become parents in their own right.
I had always imagined that it would be my daughter to have a baby first, but the news came unexpectedly from my oldest son. I received the call on Mothers Day evening. We discussed supper, how our day was and then in a very calm manner (which is absolutely the norm for Dan) he nonchalantly said, "Well, just wanted to let you know you're gonna be a Grandma." Well, I nearly flew off my chair with excitement and I could not wait to call my own mother and tell her.
Just like parenting styles, there are lots of grandparenting styles as well. My own grandparents were down to earth and simple. They did not lavish gifts of every kind on us or spend countless dollars on entertaining us, but instead we were surrounded by a love so plain and simple that the memories we made with them will go on and on. It amazes me to this day how we ever survived a week at our grandparents house with only a corn crib, a goat and a big brown bag for entertainment.
And then there are those who spend endlessly on gifts and goodies as if trying to buy the grandchildrens love and affection. Big screen TVs, video games, iPods and laptop computers for a six-year old? Whatever happened to encouraging imagination?
My children are blessed with awesome grandparents too. While they enjoy giving gifts and goodies for special occasions, their greatest gifts are the unconditional love and freedom they enjoy while making their memories. To this day, my kids live for the brief times they go to Grandma's house and just be relaxed and have fun. Where they can go out on the lake, dig up a stump, or jump from a rope into the pond. A place where driving the lawnmower for hours is fun and Grandpa spent countless hours being the 'gas station'. A place where they can just 'be' and be loved.
It's going to seem like forever until January gets here and that new life arrives. I hope and pray that I can be a great balance of styles of grandparenting. I know that while I may not have the funding required for lavish gifts, God has blessed each of us with the one thing that money cannot buy - love. God's love is free and is meant to be shared with those around us.
So bring on the granchildren because I've got a bank full of love just waiting to be shared!
It has been a truly full week at our household. On Mother's Day we received the news that we are going to be grandparents! Now, I have been looking forward to being a grandparent for quite a while-even though my children are only in their early twenties and it seems like only yesterday I was a new parent myself. It is exciting for me to be able to see those little ones I brought home from the hospital (and no clue what to do next) spread their wings, create their own nest and move on to the next step of their journey and become parents in their own right.
I had always imagined that it would be my daughter to have a baby first, but the news came unexpectedly from my oldest son. I received the call on Mothers Day evening. We discussed supper, how our day was and then in a very calm manner (which is absolutely the norm for Dan) he nonchalantly said, "Well, just wanted to let you know you're gonna be a Grandma." Well, I nearly flew off my chair with excitement and I could not wait to call my own mother and tell her.
Just like parenting styles, there are lots of grandparenting styles as well. My own grandparents were down to earth and simple. They did not lavish gifts of every kind on us or spend countless dollars on entertaining us, but instead we were surrounded by a love so plain and simple that the memories we made with them will go on and on. It amazes me to this day how we ever survived a week at our grandparents house with only a corn crib, a goat and a big brown bag for entertainment.
And then there are those who spend endlessly on gifts and goodies as if trying to buy the grandchildrens love and affection. Big screen TVs, video games, iPods and laptop computers for a six-year old? Whatever happened to encouraging imagination?
My children are blessed with awesome grandparents too. While they enjoy giving gifts and goodies for special occasions, their greatest gifts are the unconditional love and freedom they enjoy while making their memories. To this day, my kids live for the brief times they go to Grandma's house and just be relaxed and have fun. Where they can go out on the lake, dig up a stump, or jump from a rope into the pond. A place where driving the lawnmower for hours is fun and Grandpa spent countless hours being the 'gas station'. A place where they can just 'be' and be loved.
It's going to seem like forever until January gets here and that new life arrives. I hope and pray that I can be a great balance of styles of grandparenting. I know that while I may not have the funding required for lavish gifts, God has blessed each of us with the one thing that money cannot buy - love. God's love is free and is meant to be shared with those around us.
So bring on the granchildren because I've got a bank full of love just waiting to be shared!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mothers Day!
It's hard to imagine what life would be like without your mom. My heart aches for those who have gone through this transition in life where mom is no longer there so you can reach out for her, call her on the phone, laugh and go shopping with her. Our lives are formed, loved and nurtured by the strength of our mothers. Most dedicate their lives to the enormous task and responsibility that God has given them.
I hadn't really thought about this much until one day I realized that God trusted me the responsibility of caring for His children. You see, they are not my children, they are His. We are all His. He has entrusted this task to so many wonderful women that touch not only their children's lives but are icons of strength and dedication to others who will take on this job one day. No small fete by any means.
I have had the pleasure to see many models of great motherhood throughout my forty-four years of life, beginning with my own mom. My mom is a hard-working, extremely loving and friendly gal who, I know, has touched many, many lives other than my own. I have seen her care lovingly for her own mother in her later years and during her trying times before she went to the Lord, and I have seen her struggle through her own pain to be there for her grandchildren to make and maintain strong bonds and memories that they will never, ever forget. I truly cannot think of a stronger model of motherhood than my own mom. (Thank you mom, you're the best)
How many 'styles' of mothering are there? Equal to the number of stars in the sky. I have seen strict, orderly, and disciplined mothering: everything in order, a place for everything, and big trouble if you don't follow the rules. I have seen laid-back mothering: a house of chaos, fun, full of love of life and each other. And I have seen mothers who have created a great balance of all of this and more. The list can go on and on as we each have been given gifts and talents from God. We are all unique in how we handle the tasks set before us, but we pray and move on, in hopes that the results will be pleasing to God.
I have the pleasure of being mother to three of God's children and I thank Him every day that he has given such a treasured gift to me. They have grown into young adults now, each different from the other, with special gifts and talents unique unto themselves, and yet they are closer now than ever before.
My prayer for Mothers Day: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the opportunity to care for Your children and for all the mothers who have touched my life. I lift up to you all mothers on their special day. Continue to strengthen and guide them on their journey through the trials and tribulations of motherhood. In your name I pray, Amen.
I hadn't really thought about this much until one day I realized that God trusted me the responsibility of caring for His children. You see, they are not my children, they are His. We are all His. He has entrusted this task to so many wonderful women that touch not only their children's lives but are icons of strength and dedication to others who will take on this job one day. No small fete by any means.
I have had the pleasure to see many models of great motherhood throughout my forty-four years of life, beginning with my own mom. My mom is a hard-working, extremely loving and friendly gal who, I know, has touched many, many lives other than my own. I have seen her care lovingly for her own mother in her later years and during her trying times before she went to the Lord, and I have seen her struggle through her own pain to be there for her grandchildren to make and maintain strong bonds and memories that they will never, ever forget. I truly cannot think of a stronger model of motherhood than my own mom. (Thank you mom, you're the best)
How many 'styles' of mothering are there? Equal to the number of stars in the sky. I have seen strict, orderly, and disciplined mothering: everything in order, a place for everything, and big trouble if you don't follow the rules. I have seen laid-back mothering: a house of chaos, fun, full of love of life and each other. And I have seen mothers who have created a great balance of all of this and more. The list can go on and on as we each have been given gifts and talents from God. We are all unique in how we handle the tasks set before us, but we pray and move on, in hopes that the results will be pleasing to God.
I have the pleasure of being mother to three of God's children and I thank Him every day that he has given such a treasured gift to me. They have grown into young adults now, each different from the other, with special gifts and talents unique unto themselves, and yet they are closer now than ever before.
My prayer for Mothers Day: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the opportunity to care for Your children and for all the mothers who have touched my life. I lift up to you all mothers on their special day. Continue to strengthen and guide them on their journey through the trials and tribulations of motherhood. In your name I pray, Amen.
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