A Time to be Together

 

“There are many memories. but I'll tell you the one I like to think of best of all. It's just a homely everyday thing, but to me it is the happiest of them all. It is evening time here in the old house and the supper is cooking and the table is set for the whole family. It hurts a mother, Laura, when the plates begin to be taken away one by one. First there are seven and then six and then five...and on down to a single plate. So I like to think of the table set for the whole family at supper time. The robins are singing in the cottonwoods and the late afternoon sun is shining across the floor... The children are playing out in the yard. I can hear their voices and happy laughter. There isn't much to that memory is there? Out of a lifetime of experiences you would hardly expect that to be the one I would choose as the happiest, would you? But it is.”

Bess Streeter Aldrich, A Lantern in Her Hand

John turns 21 today, and we were able to gather last night to share a meal and time, together! 

However few and brief our gatherings, this time is gold for me! 

Don’t be confused… John is in the group picture.  He’s just hiding behind Rosie, because that’s his style, and the reason Dad has always said, “I wish we could have three of him, and name them 1st John, 2nd John, and 3rd John.”

T’is true!!  John should have been triplets for three times the fun and blessing he’s been!  

Happy Birthday, John!  

I’m immensely thankful for 21 years of time with you!! 

Sleeping Mewty

All things bright and beautiful!  

All creatures great and small, 

all things wise and wonderful, 

the Lord God made them all.   

God gave us eyes to see them, 

and lips that we might tell, 

how great is God Almighty, 

who has made all things well!  

Cecil Frances Alexander, 1847

She was a gift, a much treasured pet!   I enjoyed having her as a part of our family for sixteen years! 

It still hurts to say, she passed away in the early (5 a.m.) morning hour of June 7th.  

I believe the LORD gave me merciful time for comfort, and the privilege of hearing her last puffs of air before I fell back asleep.  That, too, was an answer to prayer... time together and time for additional rest before another busy day got underway. 

I’m thankful the LORD was gracious to give me comfort and help to endure the silence and break in the daily Maple routine that week. 

She left us two weeks ago today, and I am still sorely aware of her departure…

I’m thankful for the joy her purrsonality brought to our home!  

I’m thankful for the way her loud mews made me laugh and comforted me.  When the time came, she quickly grew frail in her last days, but she still bumped heads, and her desire to be held encouraged me and satisfied needs I had to care for her to the end of our journey together. 

I miss her greatly!! 

Sleep sweet, Maple Mae.

Sleep Sweet, Sleeping Mewty! 

April 21, 2006-June 7, 2022

Adopted from Jacksonville Humane Society into our hearts and home. 

Praise and Fellowship with Thee

Fill thou my life, O Lord my God,

In every part with praise,

That my whole being may proclaim

Thy being and thy ways. 

Not for the lip of praise alone,

Not even the praising heart,

I ask, but for a life made up

Of praise in every part;

Praise in the common things of life, 

Its goings out and in,

Praise in each duty and each deed, 

However small and mean. 

Fill every part of me with praise; 

Let all my being speak

Of thee and thy love, O Lord,

Poor though I be, and weak. 

So shall no part of day or night

From sacredness be free:

But all my life, in every step,

Be fellowship with thee. 

Words: Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

Photo:  Precious friends delivered these items to me early Tuesday morning:  simple items, beautiful, given with compassion to comfort and encourage me.  “Holy to the LORD.”

Father, I exalt and praise you!      Thank you….!!  

You are GREAT! 

You are Faithful and True! 

You have generously and compassionately given mercy and grace to me this week.  You have loved me through another letting go loss…You’ve given and taken away. Blessed be Your name!  

You've shown me very distinctively different ways You’ve called members of the Body to walk in Your love and fellowship, that they may walk in love and compassionate care and fellowship with me.  I am grateful!  Thank you for Your comfort!  Thank you for Your tender mercies! 

And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the LORD.”  And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar.  Zechariah 14:20

Happy Birthday Hope

Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!

My soul continually remembers it
    and is bowed down within me.

But this I call to mind,
    and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3: 19-26

I had another birthday last week, and spent it with Mom.  At times, we were sadly aware we missed Dad!  That’s still a hard reality to share these days;  we still really miss his presence. 

My last birthday (pre-covid) with Mom and Dad was 2019…How could we have ever imagined it would be our last?  😪      

I treasure this photo… 🥰

In spite of our lingering loss and flares of grief, I have appreciated sharing weekly visits with Mom.  Sometimes I’m able to join her for mid-week appointments, which has been a privilege.  

She especially appreciates our time together in her home.  She enjoys reminiscing of God’s great faithfulness throughout her many years with Dad.  Because Mom now spends a lot of time alone, she’s eager to talk about memories when I visit, some of which she’s not previously shared with me before.  We’ve laughed and cried, read scripture, prayed, and thanked the LORD for His good and generous gifts, for His great and gracious hand to help us through this season of letting go. 

This year, Mom resumed preparing a traditional birthday dinner.  It was absolutely wonderful to enjoy it with her and additional family members:  my brothers, Tommy and Mark, their dear wives, Mary and Pam, my beloved husband, and our son, John.  Pam also had another birthday, so Mom prepared dinner for both of us, a large crock pot of Chicken and Dumplings (“comfort food”) with additional sides.  Thank you Mary for contributing!  It was a yummy meal, and fun fellowship!  As is common, I regret we didn’t think to take a picture together 😕!!  Regardless, for Mom to have gathered all of us, as hard as it may have been for her to serve and celebrate us without Dad, it was a sacrifice, the perfect gift, and I soo treasured spending the evening together!   

Father, 

I praise and thank you! You are my best and greatest portion in this life! You are good!! 

Birthdays are good, a reminder of beginnings, and how fleeting and temporary we are!  

Thank you for the gift of health and life today!  Thank you for another birthday to enjoy with my mom and family.  Thank you for my parents, who loved me and lead me to You, for my mom who continues to faithfully encourage my faith and hope in You!!  

Though grief continues, it is by Your hand given to me, to us, to steward.  We learn by it how it will not always be a hovering dark shadow in our lives that oft tempts us to despair of Your love and favor.  You have a just and righteous hand.  You’ve timely and providentially purposed grief, our letting goes, to shape us, to give us reason to wait for You in faith to work out what is good/best in our lives as You will to conform us into Your likeness.  You are faithful!!  Please help me to trust You!! 

Thank you for another year!  

Thank you for those who leaned in last Thursday and gave cards, made a cake 🤗, sent gracious texts, called, shared videos and audios of children singing 🥰, gave generous gifts and sacrificed time to take me to lunch and prepare dinners.  

I am so very thankful!!  

It was YUMMY!! 🤭