Well, it's been a good long while, so I thought I'd come by and say hello even though I don't have my camera back yet. I have so many photos tucked away that I've hoped to share one day, that I also thought, that I'd just go right on ahead and do so, now. A few special memories, recorded just shortly after I had closed the blog for a time, now over a year ago. My, how time flies, yes? My, how children grow and change, right before our very eyes. The barely discernible of the day-by-day, becomes strikingly evident when viewed in light of seasons; as I stand looking back on the all-too-quickly-fleeting-days, gone by. And, deep inside my heart whispers, where did they go? How thankful I am for the wonder of photographs for putting memories by. How immeasurably grateful I am for the priceless gift of family and friends to share life and love and magical-memory-making-moments, with.
I actually have a second reason for writing. Special news to share. God has blessed Claire with a precious new life, secreted away and growing, in her womb. She and Wesley are so happy. We all are. Though Claire, Wesley, Josie, and Bug were away spending a wonderful time of Thanksgiving with Jim and Linda--Claire's mama and papa, they called to share the news over the phone, hot off the press. And, needless to say, it was the highlight of our Thanksgiving Day, too :o)
As long as I live, I'll never get over the fact that God chooses to give gifts, in the form of children. Hmmm, to think that each and every one of us, made our way into this world being gifted to someone/s. I do hope that each one of you not only see your children as gifts to you, but you also see you, yourself (uniquely, fearfully, wonderfully made) as a gift to each one that your precious life touches. There isn't, never was, and never will be, anyone, just like you. You're inconceivably special. No one could ever take your place. Your life didn't come to be, nor does it continue on to touch those around it, by chance. These thoughts have invariably flooded my heart and mind each time I myself have been blessed with new life. What a joy to share in the wonder of it all--both Linda, and myself--through the fruit of our own wombs. Simply amazing.
Behold Children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
*~*~*Psalm 127:3
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
*~*~*Psalm 139:1-18
The month of November passed quietly by. Our little corner of the world is, and has been for some time, an endless wonderland of white, with freshly-new-fallen-snow to greet us each morning and carry us intermittently throughout each day. The sun shines, not warm, but bright, and speads a happy cheer over our full and busy days. I told a close friend, yesterday, "The sun is shining down on us especially beautifully today, on-again-off-again in brilliance and intensity (as a succession of-so-wanting-to-snow-or-rain clouds, pass it by).....like it's *feeling*. You know how it does that? Love it. Just love it" :o) It certainly does have it's own singular charm--the shining of the winter's sun. It works extra hard, and we appreciate it especially much.
It's so different, here, from winters past in the area that we moved from--there just down the road from the ocean. Makes my heart sing to see the children so delightedly content, drinking in every drop of childhood's simplest pleasures held out to them for the taking, in winter; sledding, cross country skiing, snowfort and people and animal building and creating, and soon enough ice skating. Outside, rosy-cheeked and red-nosed, every free moment of every day. Then, by-and-by they come tumbling back inside, leaving puddles, puddles, everywhere, as they shed their coats and boots, gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats, and head on over to the welcoming warmth of the woodstove, hot cocoa, popcorn or cookies, picture and story books, board games, baby dolls, drawing, playdough, knitting, sewing, reading, singing and/or playing the guitars (and maybe, one day, the piano, again :o).
Suppertime is oh-so-nice in winter-like late autumn, it seems. The main living-being-and-doing area of the house wrapped in the soul-giving warmth of the snapping, crackling, burning fire--it's smells, sights and sounds...music, and candles and oil lamp light, as the days grow shorter, and darkness ushers us in long before they draw to a close. The big old wooden table, heavy-ladened with good food and drink that's had the house smelling deliciously like a home all through the afternoon. That loud and lively chatter that immeasurably matters, running out and in, over, around and through, intricately weaving together each and every treasured one--once again, gathered around--for today and for always, come what may.
Julia, put in some lovely instrumental Christmas music a couple of weeks ago and we've been listening to it nearly each day since. Special, secret, let's-keep-it-a-surprise, gifts are being made and ferreted away, in preparation for Christmas, which we hope (and pray) will be beautiful and meaningful in it's simplicity, as have been Christmases past.
Big Papa, just called to let me know that he'll be heading out right from work to go and pick up my camera. That's so great. I've missed it more than I thought I could have. I'll be most thankful to have it back. You know, I was also very blessed through the mishap with my camera. It seems that this time of year there is money going out in so many ways, for so many things unique to preparation for the colder months of late autumn/and winter, and it's various calls for celebration, that I just knew without thinking that I was going to need to settle into the facts and understanding, that my camera wasn't anywhere up near the critical region on the list of needs, and getting it fixed was going to mean a good bit of a wait. Well, God saw fit to graciously provide for me outside of the box, and did so through the gift of a very dear, kind friend (thank-you so very much dear, Raquel) and another gift from James and Joseph--my sons. Remember those two hooligans? (thank-you, too, dear boys). Thoughtful surprises that so touched my heart. Thank-You, God. Truth is, as glad as I'll no doubt be to see it, I think, initially, I'm going to be equally afraid to use it, for fear that I'll break it again! We'll see :o)
The photos above are of last mid-autumn, in New England, 2007. Hiking and biking. Gathering in and hunkering down. Storytelling and imagining. Facts and figures. Mama and papa, sons and daughters and grandbaby girls. Uncles and aunties and nieces. Sisters and brothers. Littlest mamas and their beloved baby dolls. And, of course, Miss Maggie, when she was but a wee bug, being newly welcomed into our world. That last photo, is of Maggie's (then) tiny tootsies snuggled into the sweet, soft and warm gift of booties, hand knit by the lovely, kind, thoughtful and giving (not to mention talented and *c-u-t-e*, to boot(ie). Yes, hear, hear!, Stephen really got the *big fish*, didn't he!) little jenny wren. Haven't seen these in a good while, have you, JAM? Wish you'd make me a pair. I mean with all this snow and cold weather and all.
I hope that each one of you and your families had a lovely day of Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for throughout every day, isn't there. Thank-you (so much) for your encouraging, kind, caring, loving notes in the comments and emails--again, for sharing your lives and hearts with me and mine. I/and we, so enjoy and appreciate every single one. It's a joy and a privilege, bit-by-bit, getting to know many of you, through your sweet sharing in your notes and your blogs.
With love, care, and friendship, sincerely, Jewels
Congratulations to Rebecca, on the swift and beautiful birth of her littlest, Bunkin. She's so chubby-cheeked and adorable. Lots of very lovely photos of sweet baby girl, and, there's the birth story. We all love those :o) Rejoicing with you. Rest well, little mama.
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