Fifty Years Hence

 The painting over my Dad's mantel in Charleston was done many years ago from a photograph he took about fifty years ago from the village of Rockville, which sits at the end of Wadmalaw Island. This boat is floating in Bohicket Creek.  In the distance there's a line of trees--that's Seabrook Island, before it was developed. 

When we were at Seabrook last month, we walked out on the marsh behind the house where my family was staying.  My cousin pointed out the little houses across the marsh are the collection of old homes at Rockville. 

I stood there on the marsh and looked over and tried to picture my Dad on the opposite shore, a tiny dot from half a century ago, aiming his camera my way.

I see you and I love you, Dad.  Always have and always will. 

Gifts from Seabrook

 Back in July when we spent a while in Charleston, we skipped down to Seabrook for a day. My mother's brother and his wife (my dear aunt!) were there, along with my two cousins, their spouses, and their (combined) four children!  

Seabrook has its own little flavor of magic, I've discovered this year.  This was my second visit there. 

The drive down to Seabrook (or Kiawah) on John's Island is just beautiful: canopies of live oak trees line the way.  The island was thoughtfully-planned with lots of preserved marsh area and hundreds of gorgeous live oaks.  

(The view from my cousin's bedroom window.)

The ocean was warm and calm, and perfect for just relaxing in the water.  No pounding surf, no strong undertow. Deliciously peaceful.

And Finn kept finding whole sand dollars, over and over again.  

Best of all, I sat and talked for quite a while to my aunt and uncle.  I didn't realize I needed it until I had it: their empathy, wisdom, advice, and interest were all soothing to my spirit, a real balm to my soul.  There's such a gift in having someone older and wiser than you sharing their wisdom and love.  

Just another little gift in the midst of it all. So many things for which we can give thanks!

Rejoicing Always

Today is August 7th, which I realized means it has been nearly an entire month since I last wrote here!

Time flies.  

The children and I spent nine nights in Charleston last month, visiting my sweet Dad and stepmom.  I am so thankful for the flexibility to spend so much time with him, so thankful for the gift of technology so that I can enjoy my daily phone call with him (we talk anywhere from half an hour to over an hour nearly every day!), so thankful for everything I see God doing in this situation.  He is doing so much. He is orchestrating everything.  I just know He's in total control. 

Dad starts two weeks of whole brain radiation tomorrow.  Will you pray for him?  He is a little rattled by the possible side effects--things like memory loss--and I can't blame him.  Even so, his courage inspires me.  And he never complains.  My specific prayer requests are: 1) that the brain radiation has a minimal or zero impact on his memory and personality; 2) that it is effective in eliminating the tumors in his brain so that his life can be extended; 3) that the side effects aren't painful for him.  

I am leaving on Saturday to spend a week in Charleston--just me.  The children will stay home with my husband.  I wanted to have the time *just me* to focus on helping with driving to daily radiation appointments, keeping house, moral support.....again, this is such a blessing and I'm so thankful for all the support I have at home to make this happen.

*  *  * 

Today in church the sermon was on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. As soon as the pastor began reading the Scripture my children turned to me and smiled: this is one of our memory verses from last year!  And it is so apropos to our lives right now!  "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I love this verse because it contains God's will for our lives; as the pastor put it today: be joy-full, prayer-full, and thank-full! 

During a hard time I tend to have little practices I fall back upon to keep myself healthy and high-functioning, and I've been focusing on those this summer: exercise, eating well, *lots* of sleep and rest, not over-extending myself, doing my daily tasks a little slower than normal, and looking for the sweet and joyful aspects of life every day.  Every night I have so much for which I am thankful!  

My children (and I, I guess) have two more weeks of full summer. Then Finn begins two online classes, and Annie will start her math and history work with me.  The week after that, Finn begins Spanish 3, and the week after Labor Day, they both add in two more online classes each.  I think that "slow" start makes a lot of sense for us this year!  The next month, three months, six months....all of it...are just a big question mark.  We are going forward with Normal Life plans: The Nutcracker in December, piano lessons, the boys' Big Trip Out West*. And we are holding it all lightly.  I have lived in this in-between place before and it is sanctifying. 

In the midst of everything, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are growing quickly and are the best entertainment, we are having major landscaping done on our side yard soon, and our children are healthy and growing!

*The Boys' Big Trip Out West: in a couple of months, my husband is taking Finn to Oregon!  They are going to spend two nights in Portland, and then three nights on the coast and three nights in the Hood River area.  If anyone has any recommendations for anything interesting to see or do in northern Oregon, let me know!  My husband has done lots of research and planning already, but it's always nice to hear what others think.  We love Oregon!  We spent a week out there in 2002, but we did the southern part of the state, and the boys won't have time to drive everywhere, so they're focusing on the Cannon Beach area and the Columbia River Gorge. I'm happy for them!