This time will be just a moment, and then, like a flash, it will be gone. 13 years ago Jonny and I were proud new parents to our first baby, Anna. She was just barely over 5 pounds when we brought her home from the hospital. We were so excited about wrapping her gifts, and beginning our own family traditions. As it turns out, she slept through that first Christmas morning, bundled in a blanket on the couch, sucking on her giant green saucer binkie. Since that time, in what seems like a lifetime ago, we have experienced sleepless nights, potty training, the growth of our family from just two to now six, different homes, finishing school, starting new jobs, and the inception and growth of our own business. I sometimes reflect on my life and wonder how we got here. I’m just amazed. Life is full of adventure!
What I want to remember most about this year are the quiet moments cuddling with my kids, cold winter mornings when we turn on the fire, our first snow storm with over 12” of powder! I want to remember Ben sucking on his left ring and middle fingers when he is sleepy, and his obsession with baseball hats and small toy cars; Ally sneaking into the baking drawer to find some Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips, and giggling under her bed covers when she is supposed to be sleeping. I want to remember the relief of seeing my daughter excel at a test, after a challenging assignments rocked her confidence. I want to look back at the entrepreneurial dreams of a nine year old little boy who wants to be an engineer and a baker, and who happens to sing like an angel. I want to remember what it feels to envision a possibility before the creation begins. I want to remember what it feels like to connect to my family, both of the living and the dead; to cherish the relationships that are born out of tragedy, including the joy of connecting with my long time estranged father’s family. I want to ennoble my children to live in faith, despite the world screaming at them to succumb to fear. I want to remember the smell of fresh tomato plants yielding their fruit in the warm early autumn sun, and the succulent fruits of our peach tree. I want to remember welcoming new family members through marriage, and the happiness of uniting love and promise.
When I was young, my Grandma Joy would always say, “It’s going to be all right.” For a long time, I always felt deflated when her optimism didn’t succumb to my drama. As a child, it was my hankering for a stolen toy, as a teenager it was the challenge of navigating boys, later on it was the reassurance of faith after loosing my father and grandfather to death. The anthem of my Grandma is now not just a memory, but a life motto. With every fiber of my being I now know, and teach my children that, “It will be all right.” With faith in Jesus Christ, armored with the testimony of salvation, whatever we face, the outcome will be for our good. We are children of God, miniature creators, designed and tutored to become like Him. With optimism, hard work, and angelic help, we too can create any imagination our mind can conceive. Angels are close, families are important, kindness is everything. This season of our lives is one about gratitude for the challenges that gave us strength, and it is also a period for creating opportunities that will inspire the next generation to chase their own dreams.
Thank you for your love and friendship. We are forever indebted to those in our midst who have been an anchor of kindness and support. We are so blessed!
