To the moms who rock and sway and dance their babies to sleep. Who swaddle and sing and stroke brand new skin through half closed eyes only to rise for 6am toddlers. To the dads who strap their kids to their backs and walk the afternoon sunshine while mommy naps. To the families, the baby boys and girls growing up and into the men and women they will be.
To the love that lives in the spaces between chaste kisses. To hugs. To a brother’s pat on another brother’s back. To the imagination served up at a sister’s tea party. To the legos that spill out of toy boxes and the toy soldiers that line the floor.
To the ache of brave hearts who say good-bye for months, separated by an ocean and a desert. To sippy cups that sit long forgotten in the back window of the car. To the hushed moments under the night sky for last stories, plots, secrets between brothers.
To the Sunday afternoon naps and the creased faces that emerge from under the covers for hot tea and cookies. To the rain and the mud and the wet through wallowing in it. To the rusted brown hand prints on the screen door that testify to the mess they made. To the mountains of laundry and the super hero underoos. To the skinny butts that barely fill them out.
To sword fights and fearlessness on behalf of princesses.
Here’s to imagination and blanket forts, here’s to leaps and bounds over couches and beds and no stitches yet. To the mothers that get it and the fathers who encourage it. To every kid in the bed and barely room for the parents. To warmed up milk 365 days a year and the pleasure in being able to provide it. To never being able to get close enough. To the symphony of family – made in His image – telling His story through our every day, every way, ordinary love.
To you.
Here’s to you.
Beautiful, just beautiful.
It finally hit me what I’ve been missing the last few weeks! Your posts!! I was thinking about who some of the women are that I really want to get to know better at Relevant and you came to mind. Then I realized that I hadn’t seen a post from you in awhile and it dawned on me that when I changed my email address a few weeks ago I didn’t resubscribe with the new address! So glad to be back!
Girl, you may want to go and read two posts back – there’s been some news cooking around these parts ;) (Glad to see your name here in my space again too!)
This is absolutely stunning, beautiful, moving….I want to read this everyday to remind me of His blessings in this life. Because babies and kids and family and love are all the things that make life full and I sometimes forget that in the mess that everyday life can be. Thank you for this. It is something that I desperately needed.
Lisa-Jo your family heart is beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to woo us into a positive reflection of who we are and what we do.
Awwwwwww!
That was beautifully written.
This is so poignant today of all days because today begins a weekend of celebration as my church celebrates the opening of Jill’s House… a respite care center for children with special needs. It is so humbling – hearing the stories of the moms and dads of special needs kids… they are so brave, inspiring, and courageous… Parenthood in general is so difficult… and when God gifts you with a special needs child, it adds another layer of complexity. But oh how God has radiated through the lives of these kids and families… you can see His touch on their faces, and hear His comfort in their voices… it’s exquisite.
This is beautiful! I’m reading it in the doctor’s office and almost started crying! I relate to so many situations you described; have the memories and pictures of these things right behind my eyes.
That was just beautiful, Lisa-Jo. I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s in the everyday moments that God comes so very near.
SO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for writing this. <3 to you!
My family has had 3 babies born in the last 6 weeks. . .all boys! The new mamas are sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. I sent them all a link to this. . .it offers perspective in the midst of the hard stuff. Beautifully said.