They came as gifts – gifts of life, of hope, of promise.
They came at a dark time – a time of dying, of despair, of good-bye.
Two small ones, born a month apart – the last of 3 boys for our middle daughter, the first of 2 girls for our only son.
Our son-in-law (husband to our eldest daughter and father to our three oldest grandsons) was fading away, growing increasingly frail, fighting with every ounce of life he had to hang on. We tip-toed around the sadness, the fear, the suffering.
But then word came of two new babies to join the circle, and somehow, the light was switched on, bright and beautiful, even as our world grew smaller and dimmer.
Both were difficult births, both survived and thrived. Every milestone reached became a small miracle, a treasure to be cherished – turned over and over, catching and reflecting the light right into all our darkness.
Every glimpse of them together has been a multiplication of that initial shard of hope and life and light, now three years into a new and different kind of living, one without Mark here.
And now, they are six years old. Last Saturday, I sat outside in the warm southern California sunshine with my middle daughter. We talked of everyday things, relaxing into the surprising heat of a late fall day.
And all around us, these gifts of ours laughed and leapt, bumping into each other with easy camaraderie as they chased two small balls around the edge of the pool. Too cold to swim, but still the water entices!
Poppy got out the long-handled scooper and they took turns dragging those balls from the middle of the pool to the edges, running in circles, padding in their bare feet, getting splashed and not caring one whit about the wet.
And for just a brief moment, sitting there, lit by the light, warmed by the sun – the gates of heaven opened a tiny crack. And I saw the goodness of God made real in the flesh of two small children. I heard the whisper of God in the laughter that rose to the cloudless sky. I felt the nearness of God as I talked with my girl about schools and schedules, about lunches and holidays, about all the real that we live in the midst of, day in and day out.
And for just those few moments, all of life took on the glow of the Good, the Beautiful, the True. The air fairly vibrated with the power and the glory.
And I was satisfied, full to the brim with Life.
I am absolutely delighted to join two memes brand new to me – one brand new to everyone, one a re-issue of a long-loved invitation. Emily Freeman’s “Tuesdays Unwrapped,” and Jennifer Dukes Lee’s new “God-Bumps & God-incidences.”
well aren’t they two peas in a pod!!! Amazing how God send the children to light the way!
PS: that orange cast made my body hurt, poor guy!
well aren’t they two peas in a pod!!! Amazing how God send the children to light the way!
PS: that orange cast made my body hurt, poor guy!
Hi there, I am visiting from Tuesdays Unwrapped. This is a beautiful and poignant account. It reminds me that the light shines brighter in and after the dark.
Diana, I don’t think you should ever doubt the value of your writing … your words touch a nerve with me, and I’m sure with many others. Today’s account is a sweet sample of how God blesses us even when life isn’t necessarily how we wish it might be.
I always enter December remembering a life wasted several years ago, a difficult and painful time for us that was followed by years of fresh blessings and renewed hope. God is faithful.
this is a precious post! visiting from God-bumps – my husbands name is Mark & my heart goes out to your daughter- so precious, those children. Your words are beautiful. New follower-
Diana, I love these pictures of your beautiful grandbabies. They look hearty, well-loved, and thriving.
And your story? Well, it just undoes me.
Three years ago, I left the delivery room where my daughter-in-law had just given birth to our precious granddaughter Carly.
I was headed to the airport to fly to Nevada for the big consultation with my mother’s oncologist.
He does send us signs of the relentlessness of life, doesn’t He?
This story (and the amazing pictures) are packed with the stuff of God-Bumps. This brings back fond memories of photos with my cousin. We’re of similar age. Many more of those kinds of pictures to come for those two, I am sure. And that picture in the bed, with the cast? Oh … so sweet.
I am pleased and honored that you would choose to add your voice to the Getting Down With Jesus community. Thank you for participating! 🙂 xxoo
Thanks for you kind words, friends. And yes the picture in the cast tells a hard story – Griffin twisted funny on their trampoline and got a spiral fracture of the femur in his left thigh – the largest bone in the body, required a full body cast for about 4 months. That’s been almost two years ago (in January) and he’s doing great now. Gracie drove down with us (Griff and fam live 2 hours south of us and Grace’s family) to spend the day with him the first full day he was out of the hospital after his surgery to set the bone. And he’s back on the tramp, doing just fine at it, too. The doctor said the break could have happened on the lawn as easily as on the trampoline. I try not to worry too much. :>)
Thems are some pretty babies!
This is so touching Diana – filled with sorrow and joy and underscored with a deep sense of gratitude.
I am so glad you’ve continued to write. You have a lovely gift.
Diana, they’re beautiful! Amazing how he works, bringing light when we need it most.
Life does go on, even when it feels like it shouldn’t…and in the end it is this consistency that heals. Lovely post.
Our posts did have similar themes didn’t they? God is good.
Amen and Amen. How beautiful when we remember that death is not the end and the new births on this earth remind us of the new life we have in Christ…hope, peace, joy.
Keep up the God work.