Sounds of Life

I sit here, listening to the background noise around me. I hear dogs playing together, collars jingling. I hear "WordGirl" saving the day as Wyatt plays with his Bakugans and Batmans. I hear the sound of food being prepared and Sami calling her mama to help her. It is not a quiet house. It is alive with activity and life. For the last four days, I have been here alone with the dogs sitting quietly by my feet. I don't mind the silence, but I do not like the isolation from loved ones. My only reprieve came two days ago, when Jack, Kami and the gang stopped by for a visit. It was a welcome break to the solitude. I love hearing the kids banter with one another. I love the sounds that Elijah makes while trying to mimic speech. It tickles me when an occasional word comes out of the babble. Cartoons coming alive from the tv screen and laughing, talking and even the moments of silence shared with others. God was wise in His infinite wisdom when He stated man should not be alone. He filled our souls with a need for others. Times to share, whether they are vocal or quiet, are not meant to be for a crowd of one. I thank God for my family, for the sounds of every day life coming around the corners, filling our walls and hearts with happy memories.

...and the seasons, they go round and round...

Another summer has come and gone. The signs of fall are starting to subtly show themselves. Leaves falling quietly into the cold pool water; colors beginning to peek through the green on the trees and bushes. Children walking to and from school, fall sports teams crowding the fields; cornstalks and pumpkins making their way onto porches and stoops around the area. Cool nights without the air conditioner blowing through the rooms. September's crisp morning weather, deep shadows in the morning and early sunsets in the evening. I am not yet ready to give up the shorts and flip flops for cumbersome shoes and clothing. But whether I am ready or not, the seasons change. I appreciate the autumn, but I will miss the carefree nights and days of summer....lazily floating in the pool, sipping ice cold tea on the patio under the umbrella. Watching my grandchildren capture moths, butterflies and lightning bugs, cover them in the "bug tent" and study them intently. In a few weeks thoughts of Thanksgiving and Christmas will start to invade my summer memories. The summer will be crowded out eventually, until I look at the digital photos blinking images of ocean and pools and fun. But by then, the anticipation of fall and winter holidays will be in full bloom. I will enjoy the family memories being made during their fall activities, while I sit, sipping hot cocoa and planning holiday parties. The seasons just change so quickly now. My carousel is spinning up and down and the seasons.. well, they go round and round...

Redeeming the Time

Today is the start of Labor Day weekend. I cannot believe the summer is almost gone. I had so many plans to do so many things, and now I look back and wonder where those days went. Well Elijah turned one at the beginning of the summer, then Sami turned 3, and Paige turned 12! Then there was the big move that started for Jenn and Kory. Charlie is waiting patiently for his mom and dad to take him back home. They may be surprised at the new "tricks" Charlie has learned while playing with Beaux. I guess I can scratch the plans to plant spring flowers and just go straight to the fall mums now, and spread more grass seed to fill in the big dirt patches that dogs and grandkids have managed to pepper my yard with. Another pool season has come and is almost gone. At least we had great heat blasts this year to make swimming a top priority on all of our lists. It was great to see Samantha's fear of the water dissipate and see Wyatt graduate from life jacket to swimmies-- and when supervised closely, no aids at all. He snorkels his way across the entire pool. Jamin is Wyatt's hero. He can't wait for Jamin to come around so they can play big boy games. Victoria went on her first solo trip when she visited Jenn and Kory this summer. She is turning into a beautiful young lady. Elijah now can say a few words, and those are used powerfully in his world. I watch all the kids and wonder where their energy is generated, because I feel slower than ever. I keep reminding myself that Jamin once told me I wasn't old because I still can play with them. I still try. Those days are etched deeply in my mind. I need to remember those words of wisdom when I lose my energy. The seasons still go round and round, and I can still look forward to the changes that come with them. O Lord, keep my mind on You, so that I can still be of use. Let me redeem my time here so it adds a memory to someone else's life. Wyatt told me he wanted to marry me this week. I told him I was already married to Oppie. I look around at my life and see that the Lord has indeed redeemed the time for us with a wonderful family.