This summer has been composed of various 'stage of life' events/moments that just prove this is a bumpy ride from start to finish; and while there may be a few scenic pullovers, at some point you have to load back up in the car and get back on the road again. And eventually, the trip ends and you go home.
* Our sweet Molly is engaged to be married to her precious boyfriend of over three years. There is not one unhappy person about this proposal! Our family loves Brad like he is already one of our own. We love his family! He is committed, loving, honest, determined, hard-working, and fun .... he and Molly complement one another well, and I have no doubt they will be wonderful partners for life.
* Meghan's life-long dream of going to Africa has come true! In fact, she is there now - into her second week of mission work in Zambia which will be followed by a trip to Victoria Falls. There hasn't been a lot of communication, but the few reports we've heard have been good. I know she is having the adventure of a lifetime and is learning what God wants her to learn while she's in a place she has always wanted to visit. People have asked if I'm 'ok' ... Strangely, and uncharacteristically, I am very ok. I haven't been nervous at all about her traveling - or even about any decisions she may make based on this experience - whether they be to travel (mission-related or otherwise), or to mark this trip off her 'things I want to do' list and move on to the next goal.
* Hudson Wyatt Hamilton (not due until July) was born on May 29th. He has spent his short little life being cared for in the hospital NICU - gaining weight, his little body developing, and receiving all the attention he needs. Chelsey and Kenny are such good parents and have had a rough month dealing with the uncertainty that accompanies a child in the hospital. Hudson will go home soon and rest in his own little bed without tubes and monitors. He is beautiful and has gained to almost six pounds in that many weeks. Another reason for our family to be thankful and joyful!
* Granny Parsons has also spent most of the summer in and out of the hospital - and the nursing home. A variety of issues make this necessary, but the bottom line is - her little body is just tired. She enjoys company; and she talks, but it's hard to understand her; and sometimes she will do or say something that makes her seem like the person she was when I was a little girl. Those moments make me smile - but in a sad way because I know they're the past, and that in the near future the memories and pictures are what I'll have instead of the Granny I love so much.
It's an emotional portrayal of beginnings and endings...with Meghan and Molly's current status somewhere in the middle of the spectrum; one family member starting out in life, and the other whose full life is fading. Granny and Hudson are both in the hospital because of their ages and the necessity of medical assistance for their survival, but there is such a contrast to where they 'are' ....
One is the future of our family - one is our heritage.
For one, I made a little quilt - the other taught me how to quilt.
One gains weight daily - the other grows thin.
I love to hold one - I loved being held by the other.
One has yet to make his first memory -
the other holds a lifetime of memories in her heart.
To one I say, "Hang on little man. You'll be home soon!"
To the other I whisper, "Let go when you're ready Granny. You'll be home soon."
jlbm 7.11.11
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