Impromptu Vacation

It had been a crazy weekend.
Ok. More like a crazy...well, when hasn't it been crazy? I can't remember.
Anyway...we drove out of the church parking lot in the dreary drizzle, trying to decide where we were going to grab lunch because we had no groceries in the house and we all had various chores and responsibilities that afternoon and we had to be back at church at 4:30. Whew!
We were tired of Mexican, too far away from anything else, and didn't really want fast food. So I decided we'd go to Sybil's, a small but fancy restaurant right there in town with high prices but great food.
As we walked up the sidewalk to the large southern style house with a wrap-around porch, music playing softly, I felt like I was on vacation. We were seated in a cozy room with only a few other tables by an elegant black-haired lady wearing a distinctive gold piece-of-art necklace. The ubiquitious knot in my neck slowly unclenched as the four of us chatted aimiably about sunday school, prom the night before, and a recently rented movie. We laughed over our pasta and fried chicken while someone besides me worried about filling glasses and picking up dirty plates. We even splurged for dessert (can you say "Warm Gooey Butter Cake a la mode"?). As I lingered over my coffee, I felt the stress fractures that come with a busy family life start to heal. This hour with my family and no distractions was well worth the $80 bill. To me it was priceless.

Spirit Fingers

We are blessed to be part of a very large, diverse, loving extended family on all sides. But sometimes God creates a special connection between special people. And that's how it is with Hillary and Hunter.

I first met Hunter's mom when she had just married my husband's cousin. Right away we felt a kinship, born of our shared faith, family, and "surprise" baby girls. So it became an unspoken agreement that anytime we were "back home" we would spend as much time together as we could. The girls grew up sharing Christmases and Easters and even a 4th of July here and there. It's amazing how they both seem to have a special relationship with God...they both love acting and drama (they even each had a part in their respective school's productions of the Wizard of Oz this year)...they are both smart, and pretty, and sweet. And musical. They both use their talents in church.

So when we visited the family for Easter this year, and were able to go to church together, I was thrilled to see that Hunter was playing her harp for the service. And afterward, of course, I made her pose for my camera. Then it hit me that the harp and piano were sitting side by side...just waiting for Hunter and Hillary to make beautiful music for us. And I asked the girls to try to play something together. Being their sweet, agreeable selves, they got right to it...joyfully. They played Sweet Hour of Prayer and Amazing Grace. And even though almost everyone else had gone, the Spirit was still there. That the girls had never practiced together didn't seem to matter...the music floated up and around us in perfect harmony. We moms wiped tears from our eyes and the grandparents looked on with pride.

And my God said, "I love you."

And my spirit sang.

Finding God

"18 -21 Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night" Deut 11:18-21

So that's what I tried to do this Easter weekend, as we visited family from far away.

As we attended Easter mass with great grandma and her sisters....

"Look children, God is in Youth and Maturity."

As the Word was read in English and Spanish...

"Listen children, this is the Word of God - in any language."

As we sat, stood, kneeled in the beautiful building...worshiped in grandeur and ritual...

"God is here."

As we went to church Sunday morning with Papaw and his family...tiny country church full of love and sincerity and little children singing "This little light of mine."

As we heard the harp, praise music from a cd, and impromtu hymns accompanied by the piano...

"Watch children, there are many ways to worship God."

As we watched both churches welcome new members...with a sprinkle of water or the "right hand of fellowship."...

"See, children. God draws people to himself."

When you're with hundreds or dozens, singing a song or lighting a candle, God is the same wherever we are. When the priest reads from the prayer book or the pastor speaks from heart and memory...God's word is the same.

He loves us.

He is with us.

In the warmth of a hug, or the pleasure of extended family...

If you just look, you will see he is here.

txt

from Parker's phone to mine:

"I for got to tell u we tested in band and I tied for first chair so in turn I am first chair now just thought that would cheer up ur day."

my reply:

"Yes! I knew you were a first chair boy! Congrats"

him:

"How did u know"

what I wanted to say:

"I knew because you are mine and I can see how perfect you are even when the world doesn't."

what I actually said:

"I just mean I always knew you were good at playing. I knew sooner or later you would get first chair back because you always keep trying. I can just see how much you like playing and that you have natural talent."

"oh"

I love you trumpet boy.

Princes Charming

What a wonderful surprise day with two handsome young men I'm especially fond of! The original plan was for them to go to the track meet with my husband for the day. I was to be left at home...alone...to do the drudgery of cleaning and laundry. But plans change...and thank goodness they do! The boys and I ended up making a mundane day magical.

These two gentlemen helped me clean up quickly, and we left the laundry behind as we headed for the city. Our first stop was the bookstore. These are men after mine own heart. They browsed the music, pointed out books I might like, and made a general impression on those around them.

Then it was on to get lunch, a quick stop by the game store, and finally to the sculpture park. That's where the real fun began. After our picnic, they indulged my penchant for pictures by posing with every available structure.

They reminded me of the many large pups we saw at play in the park. They bounded boundlessly.

They hung from every low branch....

Slid down every free rail....

Ran up every incline...

And jumped up on, into, and off of everything.

And everywhere we went, their unique sense of style made women give me knowing smiles as they passed and men comment on how "cool" their hats were.

Thier boyish charm made my day, as they treated me like a friend...opened car doors for me...thanked me for lunch...and gave plenty of innocent, unembarrassed affection. They even helped me with the errands I had to run, and carried in the groceries when we got home. They filled my car with music, my ears with laughter, and my heart with sunshine. Charmed.