Dear God,
Thank you for this day, for letting me wake in Mam-ma's room, surrounded by so many sweet memories. Thank you for the sounds of Daddy, moving around the kitchen, and the rumbling thunder outside, a promise of rain on this parched land.
Thank you for this time with my Mama and Daddy, and with my kids, all three of them stll nestled in beds that have cushioned them most of their lives, in bedrooms from my childhood. Please help me be a blessing to them all.
Please watch over us as we head home today...
It's raining, although not as much as Daddy would like, so he's grumbling a little. He's in the kitchen, rustling up some breakfast for Mama, who is now up and helping keep the squirrels in peanuts. I just missed a great shot of a dove and the kids are still sleeping. They were up longer than the rest of us, the sounds of their mingled laughter drifting in to me as I fell asleep.
It's a beautiful Sunday.
Sunday: a pre-dawn horizon glowing red above the water; walking on the beach, witnessing the sun rising above the waves; tagging along on a photo-staging with your new artist friend; hitting a "Penny" sale... buy one, get one for a penny... with your girlfriends; home safe and sound from a wonderful weekend; grilled pork loin a la Tom; tagging along on your boys' trip to Europe via photos posted on Facebook; reading a letter written by your great-great-great-great-grandfather to his brother in France, written in 1810, that answers so many questions about your family history
Monday: glimpsing Belle's face peering in at me through the French doors before dawn has even softened the darkness of night; a morning walk with my puppies (I missed them!); eagerly wondering what new door God is planning to open for me now that another one is shutting - and realizing the thought was automatic, not just a way to cheer myself up; hearing (with relief) from your doctor what you already suspected... that the lump in your breast is just a result of your out-of-control coffee addiction; sitting in your car chatting with your daughter, catching up on the latest in her life, then having dinner with your middle son AND getting a phone call from your oldest
Tuesday: needing a light jacket on your morning walk; sunlight kissing the top branches of the trees; the joy in a running dog's face; a whole day at home to work on your projects, including your book for the first time in weeks; a call from a friend letting you know she'll be in town on Friday (time for a get-together!); sitting in a rocker on the front porch reading, a puppy dog at your feet; a new episode of "Glee"
Wednesday: working on your book two days in a row; tons of information for your book from your cousin in your email inbox; news that your recently graduated son got called for a job interview
Thursday: meeting a deadline on your book review; reflecting on an inspiring life; writing, writing, writing
Friday: wishing your father a happy 85th birthday; reciprocating a favor by helping to take care of friends' dogs; a glass of wine on the back deck with a sweet friend; dinner and some dancing with more dear friends at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse
Saturday: hearing all of Peter Frampton's "Do You Feel Like We Do?" on the car radio (and singing along); all three kids under the same roof; seeing your cousin Sheryl and her husband Bill for the first time in years; celebrating your Daddy's 85th birthday with fresh seafood and German Chocolate Cake, surrounded by family; your brother-in-law going to the trouble to find something for you on eBay he knows you will really appreciate (more on that later); reading to your toddler niece; experiencing Germany's Oktoberfest through your oldest son's iPhone videos and stories; laughing with your three kids over silly SNL skits and you-tube vids
Sunday: squirrels peering in at sliding doors, begging for peanuts; helping your daddy find information on Drop Foot on the internet and (maybe) convincing him to get the brace the doctor suggested since it's still bothering him; the sound of rain and thunder all around the house, enough that your Daddy finally admits it's raining
Here's wishing you a beautiful Sunday, with skies the color of your dreams.
