#family
EVERY STEP
Since the day of their birth…and the time they learned to walk…
As I’ve watched my children and grandchildren grow each day
I’m grateful I’ve been able to enjoy
every step
they’ve taken along the way.
LEAD THEM BACK HOME
May we be blessed that wherever our children’s feet take them in life
wherever they happen to roam…
those same feet that lead them away from us…
will also lead them back home..
HOW COULD YESTERDAY HAVE BEEN SO LONG AGO
Whenever we visit with our children or grandchildren two distinct emotions flow over me.
As I marvel at who they’ve become my mind drifts back to a time when they were three.
A time when life was a little more innocent, less troubled, more carefree.
A time when they were small enough to sit upon my knee.
Whenever we get together and moments of the present mix with moments of the past
I wonder where the years have flown…and how time has moved so fast.
Even though I’ve been lucky to be here to watch my children and grandchildren grow
Every time we get together I wonder…how can yesterday have been so long ago?
Wasn’t it only yesterday they were crawling…
when they took their first steps toward me?
Wasn’t it only yesterday they were sitting upon my knee?
We begin this journey through life together…
and along the way a host of memories we collect.
Old memories that mix with new memories
every time our now separate journeys intersect.
Of course that’s the way it is supposed to be…
time moves on…and children grow
As parents we’re meant to enjoy the memories we make today
As well as those made long ago.
It’s a precious gift time gives us…that lasts through our eternity…
A chance to visit our children and grandchildren as they grow
At the same time time we visit a time when the sat upon our knee.
FAMILY QUILT
Among her many talents Deborah loves to quilt.
Watching her piece one together the other day…I started thinking…
how it’s the same way a family is built.
Two people meet…they fall in love…and before they know
their fabrics are sewn together and their quilt begins to grow.
Through the years they add children to their quilt…
and sewn within it’s seams…
are the different colors, hues and textures of their wishes, hopes and dreams.
The quilt grows even larger…for where would a family quilt be…
without aunts, uncles, nieces nephews and friends…the rest of their family.
They notice right away when they add another patch…then more and more and more
as each new color and pattern blends with others…
their quilt is more beautiful than before.
And there is something they also notice…
every time their family quilt spreads out…
is that connecting all the pieces…
is a thread of love throughout.
What makes each family quilt unique…just like each family tree
is that it’s constantly reshaping…like the waves upon the sea.
Once the children leave..as children do…when they’re fully grown
They leave a patch with you…
and take a patch…to start a family of their own.
And at first there is a tinge of sadness…but as days and years elapse…
you find how easily and beautifully…your two quilts overlap.
Before you know it you have a multitude of quilts…
That within your heart you're keeping.
Perhaps that’s why as you grow older
you have no trouble sleeping.
ATOP THE BLEACHERS
We watched our neighbor, Ollie, play in his first official ’T’ ball game
from our seats atop the bleachers…in the shade.
It was a treat watching the innocent exuberance of children…
before they have a clue as to how the game is played.
With little heads swimming in big helmets they’d approach the ’T’
and when they finally hit the ball…
sometimes they’d run to first, sometimes to third…and sometimes…they forgot to run at all.
And when the ball was rolling towards them in the field
if they’d miss it…no one would get mad.
They know it’s hard to see the ball when you’re playing with your friend,
looking at the clouds, or waving to Mom and Dad.
Atop the bleachers through it all you could hear their friends and family cheering
whether the ball rolled by their children…or if it happened to be caught.
as they walked up to the ’T’…whether they hit the ball…or not.
Their children made a lot of mistakes….but their parents were not concerned….
for they know as their children keep playing…all the things they’re going to learn.
They will learn humility…for no matter how hard they work…on whatever path they choose….
sometime they’re going to win…and sometimes they’re going to lose.
They will learn perseverance, determination, tenacity…and grit….
and not to worry if they strike out…for there will be another chance to hit.
They will learn to endure the slumps in life and the havoc they may wreak…
because those slumps will help them enjoy a little more…when they’re on a winning streak.
But those are lessons for another time…to be learned as their children grow…
today atop the bleachers…their parents just wanted them to know…
that whatever path they choose…wherever they may roam….
as they run around the bases of life…they will always be safe at home.
DAILY GRATITUDE WHO WE HAVE
Today I’m grateful for my family…
and to them I offer up this toast….
What we have in life is nice
but it is who we have
that matters most.
ON THE SIDELINES
We watched our granddaughter Ava play her last official soccer game…
Her final season as a goalie is complete…
It’s one of those milestones in life we consider bittersweet.
Since we were 37 years old
we’ve been watching our children and grandchildren play soccer…
and now we’re 72!
Which means, with Ava heading off to college next year…
after 35 years…our time on the soccer sidelines is through.
We watched them play in the Florida heat…some misty rains
and an occasional thunderstorm…
We watched them play in winter when it was impossible to get warm.
We wanted them to see us…to know anytime our paths crossed…
We would be there on the sidelines cheering…
when they won…and when they lost..
We wanted them to know…as along the sidelines we would stroll…
that being a part of their lives has always been our goal.
For 35 years on the sidelines…it’s been a privilege watching them grow…
and as this era comes to an end…there’s something else we’d like them to know:
As you switch from the game of soccer to the game of life…
as children and grandchildren are wont to do…
when you need us…look to the sidelines…
we‘ll be there cheering for you.
Christina
In my mind thoughts do constant swirl,
Leaves that rustle playfully twirl,
I vex the future looking meek,
But now through veil the light it peaks.
Women now, once a baby held,
My confidence in her excelled,
Today my heart is very proud,
She takes her place in world unbound.
In quiet moments of her doubt,
Uncertain shadows loom and clout,
A fire within her gently glows,
A strength unseen, yet fiercely shows.
Her spirit, like a mountain high,
Unyielding, steadfast 'neath the sky,
She faces storms with grace and might,
A beacon in the darkest night.
Whispers of doubt may taunt and tease,
Her heart beats on with courage, ease,
In her soul, a warrior stands,
With dreams held tightly in her hands.
So, rise, dear niece, and take your place,
For in your heart, there's endless space,
To conquer fears, to reach new heights,
You're such a star, shining bright.
Remember this, and always know,
Your strength is boundless, let it show,
In every step, in every stride,
You are so strong, with love your guide.
LOVE IN A PLACE WHERE HORSES RACE
When we see our world crumbling…our emotions are in a blender.
We’re a mixture of heartbroken…depressed…sad and mad…
but then…
we discover little bits of love in the rubble
and begin to piece our life together again.
Yesterday I found some bits of love that brought a smile to my face…
surrounded by friends and family…in a place where horses race.
Once a year we get together…we take up a lot of space…
It’s a mini family reunion…in a place where horses race.
Many of our family members were there…
some who we don’t often see…
as were friends who over the years have become our family.
Most of us came from Florida…
the east coast, west coast…and beyond…
One person came from England and one from Belgium…
making that long flight across the pond.
We hugged…we talked…we laughed…
sharing the kind of memories you can’t replace…
picking up those little bits of love…
in a place where horses race.
I met a man, wearing a shirt exactly like mine…
He and his wife were down from Chicago escaping the cold…
We even joined in a chorus of Happy Birthday
to a man who turned 90 years old.
Yes in times when we’re surrounded by hatred and prejudice and war
It’s nice to be reminded…what we were created for…
Like spending time with our family and friends….
making memories time cannot erase…
Like sharing little bits of love
in a place where horses race.