Joyfully Overloaded

Sweet Laughter, You're TEN!!  It blows my mind that ten years have past since I first held you close as you purred. Tonight I was looking through old photos of you and these three I think sum up your personality perfectly: Our super hero who is always ready to help.  Over these ten years we have watched you give all of yourself and sometime more to others.  Once you gave away all of your Christmas and birthday money to your friends.  You have physically over exceeded yourself with tasks to make life easier for others, it's not until we get home or much later that we realize just how sore your body is. We are learning that just because you offer doesn't mean you know when it's time to stop and take a breather.  At the same time the perseverance to love others at all cost has been beautiful, like that time we were in Japan and you gave a band aid to the little girl who scrapped her knee.  It's like you were born knowing that Love was a universal lan...

Today my two year old and I were playing trains on the the living room floor when he jumped up and ran into the kitchen. I assumed he was getting a forgotten train or car to add to the mix until I heard the crunch of 10 eggs hitting the floor. My big ones jumped into action by watching over him in the tub while I scrubbed the floors for the second time in a week. At first through barred teeth I sarcastically chanted, “ Praise Jesus... Hallelujah... Life is good...” but as I cleaned I remembered another two year old who once put a mixing bowl on the table and tried to add eggs so he could cook like Momma.  His favorite thing to do has always been to serve people, even back then while eggs dripped from the table to the floor he was trying to love me the way he had seen me love him. 2011 Ah and I realized life really is good. These moments will pass quickly. While I think the motives may have been different I am thankful to be a Momma of this boy. I really can’t im...

Sometimes plans change and sometimes unexpected gifts happen. Usually I have between 11 and 20 people in my home for Thanksgiving. This year with the way I have been feeling I canceled all of our plans. A few days later heard that this pretty lady was stateside and free for Thanksgiving. We had shared a cozy little apartment on the third floor of the castle when I lived in Hungary. My big ones fell in love with her the last time she visited. It took about three seconds for our Happy One to feel the same. This year Thanksgiving was simple with just a turkey pie, and fresh bread. It was good to sit with an old friend who knows me well. We talked about all of life, our deepest sarrows and our greatest joys since we last sat together. Our friendship always picks up where it left off. She is always good for my soul.