Today is Memorial Day. This holiday has kind of expanded for me over the years because of all the war events I've learned of that have a direct bearing on myself and my family. Only this morning I received an email from my mother in law about one of her prison peers who witnessed brutality in a POW camp in China in WWII. Mom was fortunate. As an underage POW in that war God shielded her from that. Last night we talked to Dennis in Afghanistan. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty miles hasn't changed a thing between us. He still picks on Becky as bad as any biological brother. We heard from our Antoine who grew up on the coast of Normandy in view of the D-Day landings. His grandfather fought in the Resistance. My own dad is a veteran who served in post WWII Germany.

We have a lot to be thankful for that we still have freedom to openly worship in this country. It is not so in most of the world and who knows how much longer we may do so here. Most people think of freedom in terms of where to go and what to do, but true freedom means so much more - it has to do with what you think and believe and ultimately what kind of person you are. The secular world is ok with people being kind, compassionate and giving, but not ok with Jesus Christ who makes true freedom, freedom from sin, possible.

Our celebration is quiet this year. It's been a pivotal weekend for us with Beck's graduation. The service was precious. Cindy came with a huge surprise, their cousin Ryan from Phoenix. Our Jamie's shower for baby Olivia was yesterday and Rachael dropped by for a shower late in the day. Ya, that was odd but we were glad to see her. Hearing from Dennis and Antoine was icing on the cake. And today I painted for the first time in over 18 years. It felt good, and it felt right.

I'm glad for Memorial Day. While I know it's the official "grill out" beginning of summer, and we'll do that, it's also a time to pause, think about things past and thank God He's in control of the future.

Dealing With Change

I should be working today but instead I'm . . ok, yes, I'm working. Actually the day started very early and I've already stitched a gift, worked the bees, checked orders and found a lost finger splint. I woke around 4:30 am and did the night watch thing with God. I'm loving my screen porch more and more for getting alone in my Bible and what not. Funny thing is - I had to add more chairs as everyone follows me out there, including the cat. She curled up beside the open large print Bible this morning. If I didn't know better I'd swear she was reading too.

The last week has been intense. I cooked for the Awards Banquet last Friday, hosted 15-18 teens after that and spent the weekend running like a mad woman. Currently we're down to a bit less than 36 hours till Becky's graduation and I'm finding myself losing it a little now and again. I can't put my finger on what it is but I don't like it. Graduation is a joyous thing but for me it's more bitter than sweet right now. I don't like to use the word "pride" or "proud", but I am proud of her. She's an awesome (very) young adult who's been an absolute delight to parent. I don't know if it's just the change in my role and responsibility as a parent, facing the reality that I soon won't be needed on a daily basis or what, but I'm not handling it too well. I think I'm tired too.

That being said - I was all weepy and mopey last night when my sister called. Cookie's a RN who works in the pediatric ward of a hospital. Boy did she put things in perspective. Currently she's caring for several children and teens who have cancer and are in the hospital for chemo and radiation. Some are desperate last ditch efforts in hopes of beating it. Her perspective? If you and your family are all healthy and saved and love each other you're wealthy beyond belief.

(WHAP!) I felt that upside the head, theoretically of course. It's nothing I didn't know already, but in the midst of my blues it helped to hear it again.

Beck's always been one to struggle through change. I see her struggling now and make it a point to be there for her and encourage her. I guess I forgot somewhere along the way that some things she has to do alone with God, and some things, I do too. I guess porches are for dealing with the changes and remembering what's really important in life.