Jun
27
2023

Waiting For Teddy

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My oldest daughter had a teddy bear she simply called, Teddy.
Teddy was very loved and went everywhere with her.
Teddy’s long arms and legs made him look more like a monkey.
His stuffing was flattened from many nights of cuddling.

His nose was barely visible and the red heart that was on his chest had fallen off.
My daughter sucked her thumb as a toddler and would hold Teddy close to her face.
The point of his foot was held precariously close to her nose as her thumb was in her mouth.
Teddy fell on the grass, sat in the mulch, and was put in a bike basket.

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Jun
20
2023

The Splinter

The birthdays of my grandchildren have all been celebrated.
Four out of five grandchildren celebrate birthdays in the span of one month.
Our grandson celebrates his birthday in the first month of the year.
We have a respite until our next grandchild arrives in November.

No complaints.
It is a blessing to be sure.
The four birthdays between the end of April and the middle of May make for a busy spring.
We would have it no other way.

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Jun
13
2023

Liturgy For A Grandchild

Posted in Prayer | 2 Comments

Father, you have blessed me with this child of my child.
I search the tiny face and see glimpses of the child I bore so many years ago.
I remember the tiny fingers that closed around mine.
I remember the rosebud mouth as I waited for that first smile.

And now I hold this little one who brings me back, yet moves me forward.
I pray for all the possibilities that You have sovereignly placed in this child.
You have a purpose for this little one that no one else can fulfill.
My grandchild has a special place in this world and a special place in my heart.

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Jun
6
2023

The Stone Fox

Posted in Family Life | 2 Comments

There is an equestrian fox that we visit.
It is a stone fox, seated, wearing equestrian clothes and a top hat.
He is sometimes called a Gentleman Fox.
My granddaughters love him.

I don’t know when it started.
Perhaps it was when my husband took them for walks when I was making dinner.
Going to see the fox became their thing to do together.
Let’s go visit the fox was always met with squeals and a loud, Yay!

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May
30
2023

A Good Soldier

Posted in Discipleship | 2 Comments

This Whisper was originally published on May 25, 2013. My husband’s father died 11 years ago but the memories and the recognition of his service are still just as important.

My husband’s father died last year.
He extensively researched the family genealogy.
We were all given a book many years ago, with the complete genealogy, up to that time.
He told his children that it was up to them to continue the story.

More grandchildren and even great-grandchildren have been born since then.
Each of our homes has this sturdy link to the past.
For my five children it is a priceless gift.

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May
23
2023

Compassion

Posted in Daily Living | 2 Comments

My oldest granddaughter is now five years old.
You are a whole hand, we have been telling her.
Where has the time gone?
It seems like only yesterday when we got the call that she had been born.

Five years ago, my daughter had a baby girl.
The baby girl that I gave birth to, gave birth to her own baby girl.
I have watched through the years from a different vantage point.
I am the Grandma and it is delightful.

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May
16
2023

Waiting At The Window

I was heading over to my daughter’s house after lunch.
I was going to be staying there for a few hours while she went out for a bit.
I knew that only my oldest granddaughter would be up and about.
Her sister and brother would be napping this time of day.

I drove onto the street and turned up her driveway.
There she was.
My granddaughter was waiting for me in the front window.
She was waving furiously as I pulled up to the garage doors.

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May
9
2023

The Best Seat

My little granddaughter just had her fourth birthday.
Her mommy and daddy had a little tea party for her on the weekend.
My daughter and I drove together and brought my other two granddaughters.
The little birthday girl had her cousins, a few friends, and her baby sister to celebrate with her.

All the little girls wore dresses.
It was a beautiful spring day and they began by playing outside.
There were princess figures on the ground, and play tea cups and saucers.
A tea cart, laden with pretend food, was pushed around the yard and patio.

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May
2
2023

The Puppet

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They came upstairs from the basement.
Two of my granddaughters were giggling as they came into the family room.
We’re going to have a puppet show, they said excitedly.
My oldest daughter had the puppet on her hand.

This is not an ordinary hand puppet.
This is the kind of puppet that has a metal rod attached to one of its hands.
My daughter positioned herself behind the loveseat.
My granddaughters sat near the fireplace to get a bird’s eye view.

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Apr
25
2023

That Kind Of Encouragement

Posted in Discipleship | 2 Comments

There are nine of them.
Nine young moms in a Bible study group.
Nine young moms I lead in discussion.
Nine young moms who are in my phone contacts with praying hands next to their name.

We have been together for two years of Bible study.
They all have young children.
If truth be told, the total number of children far outnumber us.
We have all grown so close as our lives are shared.

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