Good morning…
Over this wild winter weekend, my husband and I flew to Ohio for a brief visit with family. As we gathered with my parents and my siblings, their spouses and a few of my sister’s kids, I spent some quiet quality time with my mom privately. At age 87, slowly recovering from four years of various hospitalizations, what my mom mostly does now is soak things in and smile.
I gave my mom the Valentine’s Day bracelet I made at PAWkids a few weeks back. Slipping it on to her wrist I pointed out the single bead, one side reading “Secret”, the other side reading, “Beauty.” I told her that I admire the secret beauty God has hidden in her heart, the secret beauty pouring out of her genuine smile.
“I like my bracelet,” mom sweetly repeated throughout the night.
Nowadays, her words are few, yet she contently enjoyed the spirited family gathering.
We flew home yesterday through big flakes of falling snow. The news was predicting 4 to 8 inches of accumulation over the next few days in the Cleveland area, with much more expected in several cities up the eastern coast. Hopefully the weather will not be a hinderance, as my 88 year old dad begins radiation treatment today to target his prostate cancer. He’ll drive himself to radiation, five days each week, for the next nine weeks. My mom will choose to join him daily or rest at home in their villa. Please join our family as we pray for the successful elimination of our dad’s cancer, with minimal side effects.
In this life, we are only given one biological family. I am grateful for the eclectic clan I am privileged to call “mine.”
From the distant past, His eternal love reached into the future (Romans 8:29, VOICE).
…Sue…
