Through the Eyes of a Parent

When you're a mom, with every birthday that passes your children grow and you stand back amazed. You watch them become the young adults they are meant to be. You are thankful for every good thing that comes into their lives. You stand hopeful that they will be blessed beyond their dreams while knowing that they share this world that has its ups and its downs.

When they are young, you treasure moments when their eyes look up to you and their smiles say it all... oh, maybe it's just a quiet day of fishing and the thrill isn't really in catching anything but is in the tight hold of the pole as they cast a fishing line over the water for the very first time. You see that beaming smile of satisfaction on their face. You are still the most important people in their world.

Why is it that no matter how old our children get, when we look into their eyes we can't just relish in the breaking news of their present day? Parenthood looks into the eyes of their children and they never really seem older ~ just more wonderful. 

To a mom, she may be seeing her son at 2 or 32 and you can't possibly tell what she is really thinking about. The memories and the moments are as deep as the sea, as wide as its horizon above it and as current as the morning begins once more.

Love you today, then and always ~

Mom

The Reward of Parenting

Thankful for my oldest son. He has always been our creative one. God blessed him with wonderful talent. What a joy when your child grows into the man you love and labor over for hours, months, years ... then one day, you breathe easier. It happens. Parents often ask me, 'does it get better'? My answer may not be a resounding YES. All I know is once you become a parent, you are always a parent. The thing that truly gets better is this; the role changes. Then one day you find yourself filling in the gaps of the past and always so grateful for the grace of God. Maybe part of the parent journey becomes clearer as you stood in steadfast prayer, waiting. That, I find, has been the answer. And the reward, oh so wonderful the reward, comes at the proper time.

Happy Birthday today, my sweet son, now a blessed husband and devoted father of girls.

 

Love you more every day!

 

Be still my heart

It's February. My heart is so full of many things. Nearing the final days of Winter this year closes a chapter of life you know is coming but pray for the grace to glide through. Some things just sneak up on you and He carries you through ever so faithfully. Then... there are those awaited days that you know are coming and no matter how you plan for them you can't help but ask "where did the time go?" Births, blessings, so many "firsts", kindergarten, graduations, ordinary sweet days, awards, marriages, then miracle of birth again. Full days pass where nothing seems to completely fit and you wish for more than 24 hours in a day. It has been a history in the making ... replayed, revisited, cherished in the heart with time growing more and more wonderful. Life is precious in all its changes. Along with every change let the moments be captured and stand still in time so I can hang on just a little longer to the role of mom I so naturally am.

 

 loyal, steadfast and strong

 loving son you are to me

always true to your word

a fine husband you will be