Forty-seven years ago, I gave birth to a little wisp of a child with hair like a golden halo and lungs like a Harrier jet. She may have been tiny at a skip over five pounds, but she could let her presence be known in five counties. Headstrong from the get go, she was affectionately called “The Cruise Director” at our house. Always ready to put on a show, she grew up and became a theater major. She and her new husband gave it their all and moved to New York but when it was time to make babies, they moved back home to Colorado.

Daughter #1 and Big came to pick Little up last evening. They had already been in seven states since they woke up at 6:30am, yet this determined daughter of mine insisted she was fine to drive a few more hours and get closer to home. Big needs to get some serious swim practice in before her traveling meet the last week of July. So, when I wrapped my arms around the woman who made me a mom, I held on for just a few seconds longer so I could feel her heart beat next to mine. Hugs went all around. Little gave me a squeeze and said she had a wonderful time. And…she had a big smile on her face when she pulled away with her mom and sister.

I would definitely call this visit a complete success!

I mowed the rest of the property yesterday. Mr. FixIt ran the push mower. I had an errand in town. Mr. FixIt has to go into town this morning. Thursday we’ll go out to mow at the farm. When the kids left and the house was so quiet, I asked my sweetheart to go out and walk the property with me. We explored the grounds, checking out new burrows and guessing whether they were groundhog or rabbit holes. We marveled at how dense the foliage is this year. It’s really overgrown. When the leaves die back in the fall, we need to get in there and chop some wild grape vines. It’s taking over. 

We sat on the rocking chairs on the front porch feeling the quiet, empty space that Little filled. It’s funny how fast you accommodate to the noise and confusion when a teenager walks in and lights up your life. The quiet when they leave is deafening. But, as I held my daughter close for those few extra seconds, she whispered… “We’ll see you in just a few weeks.”

That, they will! Another joy to look forward to!!!

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“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,”

Ephesians 3:14 ESV