May 12

 

Dear Mama,

 

Thank you for being the wise, gracious, witty, true woman that you are. Thank you for teaching me what it is to stand up for what I believe in, appreciate people and the blessings I've been lavished with, for understanding the meaning of generosity and showing me what it is to have an open home. Thank you for not being afraid of adventure and raising a family on an island. Thank you for asking good questions and always having good answers. Thank you for being the funniest person I know. Thank you for living out your faith in the most tangible of ways.

 

Also thank you for always listening, always being there for us, always loving. Even when we think it's funny to make you mad. Thank you for being a role model.

 

I love you so much!

 

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It was also so good to celebrate this wonderful lady. Esther, what an incredible woman you are - thank you for welcoming me into your home with such open arms and for always being so encouraging, so supportive, and so full of love towards people. Your family is incredibly blessed!

January 23

My mom gave me tulips before she left for warmer climates and I get a tingle of satisfaction and glee every time I look at them because they are perfect. I also feel a pang of sadness because I miss my mom already.

But they serve as a small reminder of God's absolute attention to detail - down to shaded petals, curled leaves, and the mutual compliment soft pinks and greens grant each other. I don't think my mom and dad's safety, strength, and happiness will be overlooked.

January 14

Dinner with these two, and a final goodbye to our parents - sending them off 'Merican style with chilli, pie, and cool whip.

January 13

Well folks, that was that. It was our last family weekend of winter fun for while. While there will be more winter fun to be had (never fear), my family is dispersing for a time. My parents are going back to the warmth of the tropics (let the above picture not deceive you - it was a glorious 32 degrees cold), and Nicky is headed back to college at Wheaton. The rest of us will settle back into a routine of normalcy after weeks and weeks of festivities and reunions and holidays...and I have to admit, the little old lady that lives in my soul, is settling back into her rocking chair with a certain amount of relish.

But what a weekend to top it all off with - it was beautiful, and crisp, and full of things like antique stores and beach walks and siblings and cinnamon rolls. And a documentary on reviving the American Serengeti. Also it became clear to me that somewhere in my future lies a double pillow topped mattress of my very own.

We won't discuss the Seahawks/Falcons game here.

I love my family a whole lot and I really am very thankful for them. And also for these chances to be together from our little pockets of the globe. They are delightful.

January 9

Happy Birthday Mama!

Also Happy Welcome-to-being-an-American day. It makes me proud, if a little bashful, to say that you know more about US history than I do.

Thank you for being so wonderful. I can only hope to grow up to be as wise and grace-filled as you. I love you!