The first day “Back to School” pictures have been posted of four of my six grandbabies. Their smiles, except for my oldest grandson who now considers himself “too cool for school”, shows their excitement! My husband sighed loudly after seeing the pictures, “How did they grow up so fast?”
“We blinked.” I whispered.
Am I the only one who thinks the start of the year begins with the first day of school in September? I mean, New Year’s Day is the start to the calendar year, but for me the first day back to school marks the end of the summer break and the launch into fall activities, and the beginning of a New Year of possibilities.
Just like all kids going back to school, all teachers, and parents (and grandparents) gear up for a new school year in September too. Churches, businesses, and others who launch new initiatives for a new fall season also prepare. Our church suspends a lot of its programs, small groups, children and youth activities during the summer, but now all the ministries are in start-up mode again. Every September in our church, there is a feeling of “going back”, re-engaging, a fresh start to a new year in fellowship and ministry. I am praying for personal direction where I can plug in this year at church, how I can be an encouragement and help to my family, and where God may be directing me as an author and a writer.
I am honoured to be shortlisted again for the Word Awards for my blog post: “Dragonfly Dance”. Whereas poetry has never been my forte, I made a point this past year to focus on poetry expression and write way out of my comfort zone. I feel encouraged to continue to write more poetry as a result of this nomination.
So, I am welcoming September with a heartfelt sense of expectation. New experiences await! God, as always, is in full control!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“They say things happen in three’s,” she said as she unbuckled her youngest from the confines of his car seat. My son and daughter-in-love, forced from their home because of flooding, were taking refuge with us while the insurance work began. Just days before, their five year old middle son broke his arm playing on a friend’s trampoline. Two pins in his elbow didn’t seem to slow him down. It was probably more traumatic for his parents to sit in a waiting room while he went through surgery. When he got home, he was showered with well-wishes and “brave boy” gifts from family and friends. One gift that captivated his attention was a toy that changed colour in hot or cold water. While his mother was attending to her day home kids, planning their next outdoor adventure, he filled up an upstairs bathroom sink with water and forgot to turn off the faucet when his mom called him to come for the forty minute walk. They returned home to find the upstairs bathroom flooded, the rug soaked in their bonus room, with significant water damage to drywall upstairs and downstairs. I got a call from my son a few hours after the damage had been assessed, “We may have to stay with you for a few days.”
With only an hour to prepare ourselves to welcome my son, his wife, their three boys, with their dog and cat into our home for an extended stay, my husband ordered pizza, and I ensured the beds had clean linens etc. I hastily muttered as I tidied, “Lord, let our home be a sanctuary of peace for them.”
Meeting them in the driveway, I hugged on my exhausted son, and somewhat frazzled daughter-in-law, and kissed my three grandsons as they ran to me with loaded backpacks full of “essentials” for their sleepover. Emmy, the cat was a little confused by the new accommodations, but Marley, the dog bolted from the car, excited to run around our acreage again with wild abandon. She was a regular visitor and loved playing fetch the ball.
It was my sweet husband who suggested the family take up residence in our RV where they could have privacy and their own space. The boys were delighted to be camping at Grandma and Grandpa’s and the oldest boy, thanked his younger brother for causing the flood to make this camp out an unexpected reality. His parents were not amused.
We fed them pizza, and let the boys play much later than their normal bedtime, so they fell asleep quickly, tucked into separate sleeping bags in a pullout bed in the trailer. We watched the sun set with my son and again I prayed that he and his wife would sleep peacefully despite this upheaval in their lives.
My daughter-in-law had to shut her day home down for the week but invited three of her day home kids to our acreage to swim, play at the playground that my husband had built for our kids when they were young, and to enjoy several days being on a “field trip” at Grandma’s house. When parents picked them up after a day of picnics and play, one boy cried that he didn’t want to leave!
After a full day, my daughter-in-law curled up in a lawn chair to watch the sunset with us and sighed, “I needed this!” My son was playing soccer with his boys, the dog barking after him, trying to steal the ball. Memories flooded back of my boy chasing his sisters, peels of laughter, childhood squeals of joy reverberating like echoes from the past. Watching him with his boys brought tears to my eyes.
“I needed this too.” I silently declared to God.
I know my son and his family will face challenging weeks ahead getting house repairs done. Having just gone through a renovation ourselves, we know the ups and downs of a house in disarray. Trying to keep up with three little boys is a full-time job, add to that one with a broken arm, I know it will be even more demanding. Thankfully, my son’s in-laws are always at the ready to lend a hand, and we are here when called upon too.
I am thankful God answered my prayers this past week by allowing all of us to memory-make and bestow to us a sense of peace in the midst of calamity.
Catchy title, eh? It’s not meant to be a made into a Hollywood movie or anything, but it encapsulates what’s been happening in my life, and explains why I haven’t blogged for so long.
In June, we attended the wedding of my daughter’s best friend, Lizzy. A beautiful celebration for a wonderful couple! I still remember vividly my daughter, Carmen and Lizzy giggling and playing dress up, having sleepovers, and swimming in our pool as children. I’ve got pictures of them dressed like super heroes one Halloween. Two girls who didn’t take themselves too seriously and have stayed best friends through these many years. Lizzy was a bridesmaid at Carmen’s wedding in 2020, and Carmen returned the favour at Lizzy’s wedding. I can’t help but think of them still as giggly teenagers. *sigh*
Theses scriptures came to mind as I watched the two of them together, dressed in bridal finery: “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” Deuteronomy 5:29
“And I am sure confident that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
My husband and I attended his stepmother’s memorial service a few weeks ago. Etta was the only grandmother two of my children ever knew, and our blended families came together to celebrate her life and the eternal legacy she left behind. There were tears shed of course, because we miss her so, but also much laughter while sharing precious stories honouring such a wonderful, Godly lady.
The verse that came to mind at the graveside: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
I had the opportunity to spend a laughter-filled weekend with four of my friends from high school. Two of them I’ve known since Grade Five!! We call ourselves the Babes of ‘58 and since the year we all turned 50, we have gathered every five years to celebrate our friendship and our birthdays together. Our 50th Birthday was spent at a resort in Osoyoos, B.C.; our 55th was in Fairmont, B,C.; our 60th in Sooke, B.C., where we all went to high school together, and this year we rented an AirBnb in Campbell River. We are all officially “seniors” this year, although when we are together we still giggle and behave like teenagers! We always enjoy our time together, reminiscing, going for long walks, and sharing what’s going on in our lives now. This year we realized that navigating online food services that deliver is beyond our technological skills 🤦♀️ – long story – 😉 Let’s just say it’s easier for five “senior” ladies to go in person to a restaurant and do our own take out! I am blessed to have such wonderful friends, my “Babes”, true sisters of my heart!
The verse I thought of when I was immersed in close conversation with my friends that weekend: “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” Proverbs 27:9
Lynn Dove's Journey Thoughts 