Summer Night

My grandchildren are in town visiting and yesterday they spent the day at our house. Since we only see them once a year, I always wonder how they will have changed. Having four sons of my own, I know that boys can turn into strangers at a certain age. It is very troubling at the time and you don't know until years later that they will eventually return to their former selves. So I wondered about Seth especially this year. He is fourteen.

To my delight, Seth greeted me with one of his trademark hugs, the kind that nearly breaks your ribs. He is taller and more handsome, but otherwise he is still our Seth, funny and sweet. Kelsey has grown up and matured. She handles her brother's teasing now with great patience.

It was a hot day and swimming is not available to us, so what to do? Seth is not a sitting around kind of guy so he suggested miniature golf. So that is what we did. Afterwards we made homemade chocolate chip ice cream and ate it before dinner. Grandmas can get away with that.

Damien had invited us for a cook-out. We admired his gardens and talked about how to improve the soil for vegetables. I'm amazed at my son's gardening knowledge and that I am actually asking him for advice. Jon and Chrissy and Lana came and we had great fun laughing and just being together.

You can be in the midst of some activity and all of a sudden get a sense that these are moments to treasure. You pause and take it in, wanting to hold on to them for just a bit longer. Damien had served his famous blackened barbeque chicken with the sauce glazed on it just so and we were digging in and enjoying. Lana and Liana sat side by side sharing a big chair. Lana was talking about the animals she saw at the St. Louis Zoo. Gretchen and I were discussing her upcoming wedding. Citronella candles flickered on the tables as the sun set and the dark shadows of the trees surrounded us. This is what life is about, precious family time with my children, grandchildren, and the young women that have joined our family. Ordinary times, yet extraordinary. I am so blessed.

Chicago--the Reception

After the wedding ceremony the photographer was busy taking many pictures on the beautiful grounds. We joined him in taking our own. Then we all went inside for a lovely lunch. I had the privilege of sitting beside Stacia's grandparents. Once again, I wish we lived closer so I could get to know Stacia's wonderful family.

We were entertained with Irish dancers! I've never seen that at a wedding reception. What a treat! The little girls invited others to come on the stage and learn a traditional Irish wedding dance.

A wedding usually focuses on the bride. It is her big day, and rightly so. But Dominic and Stacia turned their wedding into a celebration of friends and family. They stood before us and gave tribute to family members and friends who have been an important part of their lives. They said they would not be the people they are if not for many of us. They took the glory away from themselves and gave the honor to us. It was very humbling and also very beautiful. I have never been to a wedding like this.

After the luncheon we climbed back into the van and rode to Stacia's family home for yet another meal. Her parents were so gracious to add yet another celebration time for us all. I am still in awe of their hospitality and generosity towards us. Too quickly the evening ended. We had an early flight the next morning. There were sad good-byes and thank yous that didn't seem adequate for all we had been given.

Chicago--The Wedding

Chicago--Getting Ready

We got up early the next morning so we could be at Stacia's parents' home to get our hair done. A stylist was there to work on the bridesmaids and mothers, and, of course, the bride. Chrissy fixed Lana's hair and Gretchen did a great job on Arielle and Liana. What fun for all of us girls to be together! Once again we were treated to such warm hospitality as Stacia's dad had prepared breakfast for everyone. After we were ready, we rode in a huge van to the wedding site. There was time for a few pictures before the big event began.

Chicago Day Two--Rehearsal

We woke early the next day, still on our East coast time. I made a pot of coffee in the sunny kitchen and we feasted on the bounty Stacia's family had provided. We didn't have a lot to do since we wouldn't be meeting up with everyone until the rehearsal later that afternoon. So we eventually ventured out to explore the town. The area was so different from ours--flat, with wide open spaces of farmland interspersed with new little shopping centers and housing developments.

There were few businesses and few chain restaurants. Searching for lunch became the number one task. Damien had his GPS but it didn't give us many suggestions. Not knowing the area, we didn't want to wander too far. We headed down one road in search of something that sounded good, but it was closed. Someone remembered we had passed a little strip mall and had seen a sign that said "Tacos Locos." A very small strip mall, a very small sign. But we headed there.

Inside Tacos Locos was a pleasant woman at the counter and several small clean tables. The woman brought us menus and Damien and Gretchen, admitted food snobs, were delighted to see authentic Mexican food. Cheap! We ordered and were delighted with our meals. Great filling food! Tacos Locos will become one of those fond memories.

We met up with Stacia's family and Dominic at the venue. It was a long drive from the house where we were staying. Not long in miles, but long in travel time. Damien was beside himself with how slowly the Midwesterners drive. I found it rather refreshing. The people here do not live with the frantic pace we have. I enjoyed seeing the different little towns and the wide expanse of land all around us.

Dominic and Stacia had planned an outdoor wedding in a beautiful setting with gardens and a fountain and gazebos--perfect for photographing. I met Stacia's mother and her aunts as they bustled around setting up the decorations. Real people, authentic people. There was no pretense, no front, no cold reservedness. Each person welcomed us warmly. I have a lot to learn from their hospitality.

Family members set up a large buffet of food on tables outdoors. Stacia's mom had prepared gluten-free food to make sure Dominic and I could eat. It was delicious! Are there insects in Illinois? We didn't see any on this summer afternoon. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm. Dominic invited me to sit with Stacia's mom at their table so we could get to know each other. I think we would be friends if we lived in the same area. She is a lovely woman, open and friendly and generous. Dominic is so fortunate to become a part of this family. After our wonderful meal, we walked across the grass to the gazebo to rehearse for the wedding. It was a lot of fun watching everyone joke around and practice their parts. Afterwards we traveled the dark roads once more and rested in that peaceful home. I discovered another difference in this area and ours. Stars! We could see millions of them spread out like fairy dust across the sky! I had forgotten about stars in our neighborhood where lights from the city always intrude.

Chicago

We just returned from our trip to Chicago for Dominic and Stacia's wedding. I'll be writing in parts, as there is so much to tell and recapture. Someday I hope my children will read this and know how very much I love them and how much joy this trip brought me. I know the kids all enjoyed it too! Arielle and Liana will always have these memories to make them smile.

When we arrived at the airport, Dominic and Stacia picked us up in a big luxury van and we rode in style down to the city. I watched out the window and as I saw familiar street signs, my mind went back thirty-eight years to when I first arrived here one winter--pregnant, frightened and lost in the sense that I did not know where my life was heading. I remember the birth of my son Nicholas, the rat-infested house, the streets...these same streets I am walking now. I realize we are now only a few miles from that place where I lived so long ago.

What a journey it has been, but now we are in a good place. I am with some of my beloved children and two of my soon-to-be daughters-in-law and we are walking to Navy Pier! Arielle and Liana absolutely love family events and they are having so much fun. We leisurely walk the pier and mingle with the crowd and see Lake Michigan and, most of all, just enjoy being together. Dominic bought tickets for us to see Peter Pan in a 360 degree tent theatre, so we are on a bit of a schedule, but there is still time for a nice dinner outdoors on the restaurant's patio. We take a very fast taxi ride, more like a thrill ride, to the theatre. The play is like nothing I have ever seen and very hard to describe. It is a combination of live drama, magic tricks, aerial performances, and dazzling flying scenes. In one word, it was spectacular! We all loved it. Thank you, Dominic, for such a generous gift to us all.

Dominic then drove us out to the dark quiet suburbs to stay at Stacia's grandparents' home for the weekend. After a long day, we were treated to comfortable beds, hot showers, and a refrigerator full of delicious food stocked for us by Stacia's mom. I am in awe of this family's gracious hospitality. And this was only the beginning of our trip.

Sewing Season

From the time my future daughter-in-law invited Arielle and Liana to be junior bridesmaids in the wedding, I have been sewing. Months and months. There were cotton versions to make for practice and for fit. We shopped for fabric and notions. Two dresses, fully lined. I have been only sewing quilts in recent years and garment construction was an almost forgotten art. But with the encouragement of the 4-H teachers, I took on this project. Finally, finally, the dresses are finished. Here are the girls modeling my creations, along with Lana the flower girl. Lana's purchased dress only needs hemming. I see Arielle's skirt is turned up. Nothing a good pressing won't fix.

I had so much fun sewing my girls' dresses, I decided to make my own dress too. Until yesterday afternoon I was plugging away on it with a nagging suspicion something wasn't quite right. Liana adored it and thought it was beautiful. My sewing skills weren't the problem, so what was it? Wrong pattern for me? Fit not right? Arielle finally gave her honest opinion after I finished it. "It just doesn't work for you."

At this late date? After months of planning and sewing? How discouraging! And what to do now? The reason I have been doing all this sewing was to save money on formal wear. I sat outside with Fred while he barbequed trying to figure out a solution to fix it or embellish it or accessorize it or something... Sweet little Liana kept telling me she loved it and it would be fine. Then I remembered an old dress I have. Packed away in storage. Would it work? I found it. Fred and the girls all agreed, this would be perfect. It needs hemming as this dress comes down to my ankles. Sewing season continues!

Liana made me promise I will wear my dress at Christmas. It is green. Maybe that's it. The color was wrong.

Shadow of His Wings

The girls and I were riding along in the car heading to our favorite clothing store. We came to an intersection where you have to crane your neck to look for cars coming down a hill. It is not a perpendicular intersection, and for some reason, it is difficult to see. At the moment I got there, I stopped, looked, saw nothing, and proceeded across. Then behind me, I heard the whiz of a car at high speed and a horn blaring. I never saw a car, not when I stopped to look, and not now. But I believe I pulled out in front of this car. It must have been in a blind spot. I was shaken. My precious daughters would have been hurt.

All the rest of our journey I kept replaying this moment, trying to figure it out. We all thanked God for protecting us. As I pulled off the exit at our destination, a huge hawk soared overhead, its shadow cast upon our car. God's answer. He gave me these special verses years ago. I know many others also claim them as their own.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty...He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you may seek refuge." Psalm 91.

When bad things happen, people often accuse God. How could he let this happen? Bad things do happen. But for us, not today. I wonder how many times throughout life God has intervened and prevented disaster? Times we reflect on, like this day, and times we never even knew about.

Today's Bounty

I harvested these beautiful vegetables this morning. We'll be eating green beans every day for the rest of the summer, along with cucumber soup, grilled zucchini, and fresh salad greens. I love this time of year! God is gracious to give to us the fruit of our labors.

We Have a Winner!

Last night the girls competed in the seven county regional fashion revue for 4-H. They have gone in previous years and it is a fun day of crafts and community service projects culminating in a fashion show in the evening. The county competition a few weeks ago was very stressful because both girls wanted to be able to go to regionals. But once there, the pressure was off. They just looked forward to it as a day to enjoy.

Fred, Marissa and I arrived early to get a front row seat and once again I was stunned by the beautiful outfits created by all these children. There are two divisions--13 years old and up are seniors and 8 to 12 year olds are juniors. So we had a girl in each. That was a good thing because Arielle and Liana were not competing against each other and even had different judges.

Most of the junior girls made summer cotton outfits, so Liana had a good chance with the formal jacket and dress she made. When they announced her as a winner, you would have thought she won a million dollars. She was thrilled! And I was happy for her. She worked so hard to make this very difficult outfit. Arielle had to compete with high school girls who designed their own prom gowns or created winter coats and business suits. She also worked hard on her dress and it looked so cute on her, but it was not her night. She accepted this and talked all the way home about the fun she had with her friends. Liana was quiet about her win. Maybe she wanted to treasure that moment in her heart when she posed on stage with the rest of the junior winners while the cameras flashed.

Recharged

Two family weekends in a row! Marissa came over to share the day with her dad on Father's Day, so we had to have another "Daddy and Daughters" picture. Then Damien and Gretchen invited us to a cookout to honor Fred and Gretchen's dad.

On Saturday, again with Gretchen hosting, we had a bridal shower for Stacia. What fun to be with all the girls of our family! Gretchen's mom joined us too, and she fit right in. She also is part of our family since Gretchen and Damien plan to marry in October.

With all the sadness of the past few months, I was so blessed to spend time with our large, lively family. You have all recharged my battery! Thank you!

Girls' Night Out!

The Bride-to-Be with Liana and Lana

Guinea Pig Questions

If our guinea pigs could talk, they would probably ask us these questions:

1. Why can't we have a treat every time you open the refrigerator?

2. Why do you frighten us by taking us out of our cages once a week?

3. Why do you hold us down and cut our nails when we hate this?

4. The boys would ask, why can't we play with the girls?

5. Why can't we roam free outdoors?

6. Why were we packed into a dark, scary box and taken to the vet who hurt us with a needle?

If we could talk to them, we might say, "You guinea pigs know nothing about nutrition, hygiene, reproduction, safety, or health." But they would not understand our answers, so we don't try to explain. They are animals with limited brain function. How could they begin to understand our lives? How could we explain reading or driving or cooking or any of the many tasks we do every day? We are so different from them, even though humans and guinea pigs are both mammals. If we could actually speak to them, we might simply say, "Trust us. We care for you."

Humans are made in the image of God, but still, we are very different from God and limited in our understanding of his ways. Even so, we continually question him. This questioning has been going on for a long time. Job in his suffering asked many questions. "Why wasn't I born dead?" "Why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter?" "Isn't calamity for the unrighteous and disaster for the workers of iniquity?" Basically, "Why am I suffering?"

Habakkuk lived while the Babylonians were wreaking havoc on his land. He questioned God, "How long will I cry for help and you will not hear?" "Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery?" "Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?" The real questions we have are, "Is God just? Does he care?"

How did God respond to these questions and does God mind if we ask him questions? If you read the conclusion to Job and to Habakkuk, God really doesn't answer with specifics. He answers Job with a question, "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?" followed by many other questions that tell us simply that God is God and we are not. He says Job doesn't know what he's talking about. God tells Habakkuk to wait patiently and it will all work out in the end. He would get an answer in time.

I don't think God minds our honest questions as long as we accept his answers. A couple of people asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus had one man quote the Law. This man said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." He then asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. The man didn't expect that answer. He didn't want to love people like that.

The other one who asked this question was the rich young ruler. Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor and then to come and follow him. This man didn't want to hear that answer. He thought Jesus would commend him for his good works. So if we ask the questions, we need to be ready for the answers. And when we don't understand or when God is silent, we just trust him.

Jesus asked a very human question. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" God did not answer at that moment. But God promises never to forsake us. He is not indifferent to suffering. He can be trusted. Someday we might know the answers to the hard questions.

Maybe more important than our questions is how we respond to Jesus' questions. He asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" At Lazarus's death, Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Will you answer as Peter and Martha did?

Garden Therapy

I have been very discouraged lately. Last week was one of the most stressful weeks I've had in a long time with too many things to do. The girls were getting ready for their fashion show and I was getting their portfolios ready to take to the evaluator and all this activity seemed so trivial in light of the suffering of beloved people.

Fred is overwhelmed at work and exhausted because he gets little sleep. He always keeps the garden so neat, never a weed in sight, every row of vegetables so orderly. But he can't keep up and I know it really bothers him that he can't do it all. Since I get up early, I have been going out to weed. Yes, we all enjoy the garden, but it has been mostly Fred's project in the past. The girls and I help to plant and we harvest, but the maintenance has always been Fred's job.

The first day I did the bean rows. The eastern sun rose golden, and the gnats were still asleep. Birds dove and flew from tree to tree, calling out loudly to others. Furry bees visited the lavender. The sound of the woodpeckers echoed through the woods, drowning out the humming of the morning traffic in the distance. The earth was moist from earlier rain and the weeds came out easily. The work calmed my heart. I would like to say I used this time for fervent prayer, but communion with God was not in a verbal sense. I enjoyed just being at this spot in this moment of time.

The next day I did the tomatoes and eggplants and peppers. Blossoms everywhere! Are they early this year or is time flying by? It seems we just planted this garden. I worked until the gnats arrived. A baby rabbit emerged from the hedges and nibbled tentatively at bird seed below the feeder. Hide, baby, hide! Hawks soar nearby. But he is safe for now. Again, peace came to my soul. I am grateful for life, for strength to dig and pull. God also "walked in the garden in the cool of the day." I share that with him.

This morning we met with the evaluator. I couldn't work early but went out at dusk to weed the lettuce and radishes and spinach. No gnats! Just peace...and quiet. The birds returned to their perches in the bamboo, settling in for the night. The lights in our windows came on as my family also settled in after a busy day. Our little plants are strong and healthy, not an insect in sight to plague them. They will produce an abundance of nutritious food for us. Blazing sun in July will threaten to burn them and violent thunderstorms will beat them down. But they will survive.

How Beautiful

How beautiful the feet that bring,
The sound of good news and the love of the King,
How beautiful the hands that serve,
The wine and the bread and the sons of the Earth,
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.

Do you know that old Twila Paris song? It has been running through my head lately as I grieve for my good friend J who is suffering from ovarian cancer. Less than two months ago doctors discovered a tumor and she had major surgery. In five weeks time the tumor grew back and she is now in hospice care.

Our church was offering a women's Bible study, only six weeks long, on Wednesday mornings. Years ago I was very involved in Bible studies, but with homeschooling my children, it just got to be too much and I retired. One of the classes seemed to be valuable to me at this time though--a video series called "When Life Is Hard" by James MacDonald. This man did a series of teachings while he was suffering from cancer. I thought maybe I could gain insight into how to help J through her suffering. But then I decided not to go. I didn't think I could take the stress of a long morning commute in all that traffic when I was trying to finish school with the girls.

But then someone asked if my girls could help with childcare for the moms during these six-week studies. Then I knew I had to go. It was appointed for me to be there. My friend J had just had surgery or I would have asked her to join me. At the very first meeting, the women went around the table and introduced themselves and said why they were there. Our table leader started. She said several years ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was so startled, my mouth flew open. I had randomly chosen that table to sit down and here was this woman who had suffered just as my friend was now.

After J came home, I showed her my books and shared some insight I heard at our first meeting. She said, "I wish I could come." Yes, I wish she could too. But she was very weak and recovering from major surgery. A couple of days later she said again how she wanted to come. I didn't see how she could go out all morning when she was in so much pain and discomfort. So finally she flat out asked if she could go with me. Of course! So for three weeks I picked her up and took her to class. As they are in all the Bible studies I've ever been to, the women were gracious and kind. They listened to J and offered their support. Our table leader especially understood her fear and concerns and made a connection with her.

Then J got bad news. A scan showed her tumor was back, more aggressive than ever. She was admitted to the hospital. J would not return to class. The next week I came without her and these beautiful women, who didn't even know J before this time, prayed heartfelt prayers with tears for her. They wrote precious messages for me to give to her. They offered any kind of help she might need. How tender their hearts are for J. How beautiful! The body of Christ. The class is over now, but the women have not forgotten. They continually ask about J.

"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." I Corinthians 12:26.

Perspective

I've been discouraged lately. Suffering surrounds us. Is this what happens at my age? Fred and I have each lost a sister and my best friend from junior high lost her brother recently. Several friends have cancer and another friend's child is breaking her heart. Our parents are getting old and may not be long in this world. How do we survive this stage of life with all its sadness? How do we get past the fear of what may happen next? How do we minister to those suffering around us?


We live in a corrupt, broken world. Some people do evil things. Our beautiful creation is polluted and toxic. It's no wonder we get sick. It is easy to slide into hopeless despair, and then bitterness, complaining, and defeat.


But this is not the way the world was meant to be. No wonder we never quite feel at home in it. All creation is groaning and waiting in expectation for a world to come.


"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies...


So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (Paul writing in II Corinthians 4)


I always get stuck on the phrase "light momentary affliction." I think, what my friends are suffering is not light and momentary! What did Paul suffer anyway? He endured imprisonment, beatings, stoning, and shipwreck. His life was constantly threatened. That doesn't sound light and momentary either. But then we realize the passage says "beyond all comparison." COMPARED to what lies ahead, these trials are light and momentary. "For we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city to come." (Hebrews 13:14) Our lives on this earth are so short compared to eternity, the place where God wipes away every tear, and there will no longer be any death, mourning, crying or pain.


C.S. Lewis ends his Chronicles of Narnia with these words:


“But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

Our Father's Hand

Grieving for my friends traveling treacherous roads, I was thinking of this story by Corrie ten Boom. Then I remembered I've already written about it here on this blog. But Corrie's words are worth reading again.


http://mininginthemorning.blogspot.com/search?q=corrie+ten+boom

Trivial Pursuits

I have been reading Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman. It is a very interesting (and alarming) commentary on our culture and its love affair with television. The book was written in 1985 but is even more pertinent today. Did you read Orwell and Huxley mentioned below in the foreward of Postman's book? I read them in high school, when I didn't care about anything except my own little world. Now, the older I get, I am so frustrated by the shallow, empty, mindless pursuits of the people of this country.

"We were keeping our eye on 1984. When the year came and the prophecy didn't, thoughtful Americans sang softly in praise of themselves. The roots of liberal democracy had held. Wherever else the terror had happened, we, at least, had not been visited by Orwellian nightmares.

But we had forgotten that alongside Orwell's dark vision, there was another - slightly older, slightly less well known, equally chilling: Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Contrary to common belief even among the educated, Huxley and Orwell did not prophesy the same thing. Orwell warns that we will be overcome by an externally imposed oppression. But in Huxley's vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy, maturity and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.

What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy. As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited, the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny 'failed to take into account man's almost infinite appetite for distractions'. In 1984, Huxley added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us.

This book is about the possibility that Huxley, not Orwell, was right."

Psalm 91

My favorite Psalm set to music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvhWTWpNWL0

Art Museum

Through the generosity of my friend, we had an opportunity to visit the art museum in the big city at no cost. We wanted to see the Roberto Capuzzi exhibit that all the teachers at 4-H were talking about, but the price for three of us to go would have been prohibitive.

Roberto Capucci is an Italian fashion designer and artist. The dresses he creates are so amazing that many of them are considered sculptures. Since Arielle and Liana sew, I knew they would appreciate the intricate designs and elegant fabrics and brilliant colors of this exhibit. Capucci was inspired by elements in nature, which was especially fascinating to us. Some of his dresses resemble flowers or butterflies. Some incorporate bamboo, stones, leaves or straw. Truly incredible! The 4-H teachers were planning an adult "field trip" to the museum. I would never have gone without my daughters! I wanted to share this experience with them.

I have never driven to the museum myself and the traffic makes me crazy. I didn't think Fred would appreciate the exhibit. So who in our family is artsy and creative and might like to go too? Gretchen, my future daughter-in-law, and Marissa, my step-daughter! So the five of us headed off on a beautiful spring morning down the highway infamous for traffic jams and delays. But none for us today.

After the exhibit we wandered around the museum, but not long enough! The night before we had gone on-line to check out famous paintings we wanted to see. So we found a few, but then it was time to go home. Again, concerns about traffic.

Thank you, my friend, for giving us this special time. My girls' lives are richer for it. I saw the wheels turning in Liana's head as she viewed the incredible dresses. Later, she spent all of Saturday creating her own design, unique to her, but I could see traces of Capucci in it. When she is finished sewing it, I will post a picture.

Planting Day

Mother's Day was one of those perfect kind of days. Sunny and warm and bright with fluffy flowers on the trees and blazing azaleas adorning homes. Church was crowded and I couldn't sit with my son and daughter-in-law, but my precious granddaughter squeezed in beside me.

At home, we needed to plant the garden. Fred had already put in some potted vegetables and said he would do the seeds so I could work on the wedding dresses. I knew I had to help him. It is backbreaking work. The sewing would just have to wait for another day. The girls ran out to make chalk drawings in the driveway. I got on my ragged gloves and old sneakers and headed out. I would have missed a blessing if I'd stayed inside.

Fred and I worked side-by-side and planted everything. Fred works so hard on the garden all season. It has really become his "baby" and not mine anymore. So I follow his lead and do things his way, even though my years of gardening experience vastly outnumber his!

We planted two packs of green beans. Be ready to receive the bounty, friends and family! I'm already envisioning the sweaty, painful work of harvesting them. Maybe I'll invite you over to pick your own!

Damien and Gretchen and Marissa came over. The deck is being renovated due to carpenter ant invasion, so we sat in chairs in the middle of the yard and watched the girls play badminton. Fred cooked out some burgers. We called the sliders because all we had were hot dog rolls. We cut them in half and made these tiny meat patties to fit on them. The children who couldn't come over called, so I was able to connect with each one. Later, Marissa, Arielle and I sat in the kitchen eating goodies and talking like three old women. I really am becoming my mother. That is her favorite activity too.

It was a blessed day.