Friday, December 21, 2012

Finding Peace


The soul always knows what to do to heal itself.   
The challenge is to silence the mind.

sunrise...out the bedroom window.

Silencing the mind has been somewhat of a challenge lately.  I imagine that just the typical preparations of this time of year make it difficult for most to achieve this sought after silence.  Prior to last Friday, I was already feeling a bit dismayed with what was going on nationally, internationally, and even locally.   This, combined with thoughts of my Mom and her absence, and the thoughts of those who were going through the holidays for the first time without loved ones, was enough to push me into a melancholy that I didn’t invite, particularly during this joyful time of the year.  And then… the school tragedy in Connecticut.   Not since 911 do I think that our nation as a whole has mourned to the extent it has over the Sandy Hook occurrence.  My heart has been aching for those families who lost their children and loved ones.  And I am sure that like many, I try to stop myself from envisioning the “what if’s” with my own child…

So, in an attempt to calm my mind, prayer has been helpful, particularly for all those suffering so horribly.  Focusing on the purpose of the season has been helpful.  And thinking in the micro (all the blessings of my own life), instead of the macro (all the evil and problems in the world) has helped. There is so much I have to be grateful for.   I am reminded that wherever gratitude is present, so is God; and wherever God is present, so is peace.  

Lately, I have been that much more grateful for all the blessings in my own life. 

God is always there, as long as I keep looking for Him...

like here... in our backyard again.

and here...Lucy  insisting we go outside to"catch snowflakes."

and here...Lucy saying "Grammy!" when I first got this out for Christmas.
(something must have reminded her of my Mom...the glasses?)


and here... African Violets--from my Mom's funeral-- that just bloomed for the first time since her death.
(Notice how the flowers are advent colors.)
and here... making my Mom's cut out Christmas cookies.

and here... Christmas pottery for Forever Family Day.

 And here... The Nutcracker.  Twice!

The first time to the theater: my friend Julia insisted on taking Lucy.

We had a great time afterwards...downtown with our new friends.

The second time was last minute, when my friend Molly came upon some extra tickets.


I think Lucy liked it even better the second time!
 Irons Fruit Farm (again!) for our own little ginger-bread-house class!


Mr. Irons, the owner of the farm.

Marie, our loving and patient 'teacher'.



And finally, Lucy's first school program.  Words really don't capture how filled with happiness and gratitude I was while watching her.   Who knew a parent's heart could swell with such joy?   Priceless.


Thank you God, for all of our blessings.
Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

History



 
Recently I have been following the blog of a couple who is over in China. They are welcoming their precious little daughter into their family.  It is fascinating to read.   They are basically following in our same footsteps of three years ago: staying in the same hotels, driving in the same crazy traffic, eating the same foods, having the same translators, going to the same tourist destinations…  As I read about their journey, all I can think about is how long ago it seems for us, and how changed the Lucy of then is to the Lucy of today.   

Today is our Forever Family Day;  the day we first met Lucy in the lobby of the Galactic Peace International Hotel in Nanchang, China.  So often other moms have told me to treasure each and every  moment with your child, because being a parent will assure you of one thing:  

“time will fly…”

“she will change so quickly…”

“before you know it she will be off to college...”

After three years, I think it is safe to say… they are right.   It is hard to believe that the Lucy who falls asleep so easily every night, who talks and sings so readily and fluidly, who expresses so much affection and love….is the same scared, timid, quiet, restless, reserved Lucy of 3 years ago.   

Amidst my reflection and reminiscing, I realize there is one thing that hasn’t changed.  And it is this: 

No matter where we have been, or what has been going on with you, Dear Lucy, the love so deep in our hearts has remained.  I can honestly say that the love we feel for you today is the same love we felt for you in those first moments and days when we met you three years ago.

The realization of this constant love leads me to one final thought.    What a wonderful blessing it is to have hearts that have the capacity to love in this way.  

How grateful I am to be your Mom, Lucy, and to know love in the way only a parent can know.

God, you are so good.  Thank you for the gift of our dear daughter, Lucy.

Lucy, we love you to the moon and back.