One Moment in Time

I remember this one moment in time as if it occurred only yesterday ...

My mom had just picked me up from high school.  As she drove what turned out to be the longest drive home ever from high school, I noticed that she was suspiciously quiet.  I could tell that she was deep in thought, but I had the distinct feeling that she might share those deep thoughts with me.

She kept looking at me with those distinctively special "mom eyes."  You know - the mother's eyes that are so intensely loving, yet so intensely concerned at the same time.

I sensed that she must have something terribly important to tell me.  It quickly became obvious to me that, at any moment, whatever was on her mind would be verbally passed along to me.  She had something to say, something to tell me, but she just wasn't quite sure where to begin.  I thought, "Did somebody Die?"

As we were driving down the road, having already turned onto the quaint, midwestern street where we lived, my mom (who had taken me some days or weeks earlier to the family doctor for a pregnancy test - because moms really do seem to have a kind of sixth sense, especially about their own offspring) decided to just come out and say what I'm sure had been weighing quite heavily on her mind all day so far.

Ever so gently, compassionately, and quietly, but matter-of-factly, she put her precious hand in mine and said, "Lori, you're pregnant."

My heart sank to my stomach.  Then, my stomach made its way up to my throat.

My once rosy cheeks now lacked of any color at all. 

My insuppressible tears flooded my cheeks, drenched my clothes, and sprinkled onto my high school books.

I glanced over at my mom again.

Her "mom eyes" were bigger-than-life filled with the compassion that only a mom can have for her child.  In my case, a child having a child - her baby having a baby.

After swallowing the big lump in my throat (it took several attempts), I quietly asked my mom to "just drive around the block."

I wasn't ready to go into the house yet.

I wasn't ready to go on with the rest of the afternoon.

Quite frankly, I wasn't ready for anything.

And, I sure wasn't ready to be a mommy.  Not me.  Not at sixteen!

(... from my new book:  Pregnant at 16)

Best Friends

I have the very best friends.

I always knew my friends were strong.  I always knew my friends were encouraging.  And, I always knew my friends were a blessing.

I just didn't know HOW strong, HOW encouraging, and HOW much of a blessing.

Whether old friends, new friends, or somewhere in between ... My friends strengthen me with prayers, encourage me with hope, and bless me with love.

Thank you, dear friends.  Because of you ... I am strong, I am encouraged, and I am blessed.  Blessed beyond my dreams.

I love you.

Daydreams

Daydreams can be quite pleasureable pastimes. 

For instance, during my alone time on the road leading to Asheville to visit with our precious granddaughter, Lindsey - our Princess - and her Momma and Daddy, I daydream all the way there and all the way back.

Daydreaming makes the five-hour round trip worth every single minute!

What daydreams do I enjoy so much on those Asheville trips?

• The days when Lindsey's Daddy was her age.
• The days when I was Lindsey's age.
• The days when Lindsey would shout out "Goal!" when she and her Daddy's favorite soccer teams scored.
• The days when Lindsey watched Dora or the Backyardigans while visiting us - her Gramma and Papa Joe.
• The days when Lindsey and our Yorkie, Scrappy would sit on Lindsey's favorite princess chair together and watch cartoons.
• The days of "hide 'n seek" with Lindsey.  Behind the couch was her favorite hiding spot.  Although, one time I found her trying to hide in her overnight bag.  Too cute!
• The day Lindsey thought she was being sneaky by hiding behind the couch, taking her eye patch off, and sticking the eye patch to the back side of the leather couch.  So cute!  So, we left the eye patch right where Lindsey evidently thought was the perfect spot for it ... until we sold the couch ... then, I lovingly framed the precious pink camoflouge eye patch.
• The days of singing silly songs with Lindsey.
• The days of Lindsey's belly-laughs while singing those silly songs.
• The day / the moment when Lindsey decided her Grampa's name was PaPa Joe.
• The days when Lindsey would ride on PaPa Joe's shoulders during their nature-discovering trips in the woods near our home.
• The day Lindsey rode on her PaPa Joe's shoulders the entire day at the zoo.  PaPa Joe's shoulders never got tired, by the way.  Not ever!
• The days when Lindsey and I would walk hand-in-hand through the neighborhood, discussing nothing in particular - but, everything wonderful.
• The days when Lindsey picked flowers from our flower garden to make her Gramma happy.  Smart little girl!  It worked every time!

I treasure every precious daydream.  Dreams that already came true.

An Invitation for God's Presence

When I purposefully chose to give thanks in everything during the past few weeks, God answered with an obvious "Yes!" to my invitation to bless me with His presence. The Bible tells me so. 

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
     - 1 Thessalonians 5: 18

Lately, I've spent a bit of time in quiet introspection regarding every single word in that verse.  But, I've made an even more deliberate decision to focus on the word "in."

I'll paraphrase ...

What God desires of me, is to give Him thanks IN every situation - whether disappointment or excitement, heartbreak or contentment, grief or relief.  IN so doing, I have INvited His presence IN every circumstance.  ("In", not "for.")

That's not at all to say I'm going to do handsprings no matter what comes my way.  But, I know that IN the end, His plan and His timing will prove to be perfect.

Then, I'll do the handsprings!

Audrey's Life Lessons

Its been a teaching/learning kind of weekend. Our 2 year old granddaughter, Audrey is spending a long holiday weekend with us while her momma and daddy are away celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary. 

Audrey learned alot from her Gramma, PaPa Joe and Aunt Shelby this weekend ...

• How to blow bubbles in the neighbor's swimming pool.
• The neighbor's swimming pool is not a toilet.
• Your underarms are tickle territory.
• The church sanctuary is quiet territory.
• If you don't know all the words to a song - make up your own.
• Pizza and ice cream are standard meals at Gramma and PaPa Joe's house.
• It sure does take a long time for baby bird eggs to hatch.
• Ice cream cones just make you feel like singin' and dancin'.

Audrey taught us even more ...

• It feels pretty good to go to bed early.
• It feels pretty good to lay in bed and talk for awhile before starting your day.
• Wake up the ones you love with a smile, a kiss, and heartfelt bear hug.
• Naps are good things ... really, really good things.
• Sometimes its more fun to watch the people at the fireworks, than to watch the fireworks.
• Its perfectly acceptable to wear shiny, black patent leather shoes anytime, anywhere, and with any outfit ... even your swimsuit.
• Sunglasses can be worn 24/7.
• Laugh out loud - alot!
• Grammas and Grampas are pushovers.
• Ice cream cones make you feel like singin' and dancin'.

You're right ... I already knew that last one. 

Bring on the mint chocolate chip!