Quiet

by | Sep 11, 2008 | main

I’m sitting here in the quiet – I’ve been listening to the Hallelujah song from Shrek with Lily, but she’s gone off to play group and I have an hour or so to just sit and be.

I must admit to some apprehension when I was on my way down to spend the week. My daughter-in-law and I had never had the time or space to just be together before this week. My son is in some training, so we’ve not seen him since Monday.

It’s been a gift – this time and space. Just the girls – us and the 2 little ones. We’ve have a chance to visit, to get to know each other a bit better. Not even the man who is our link to one another has been around. We’ve worked out how to deal with a 23 month old and a 1 month old… feeding them (well, I can’t help wih Ella), changing diapers, going to eat, making dinner.

Yesterday was a bit of a test. I had a time of concern when she took the girls and went off with a friend for a few hours in the afternoon. And, I obviously wasn’t invited. It seems that we have very similar basic personalities — and after talking about needing space, it seems we both did. No harm, no foul.

And so, I’m just sort of reflecting — getting to know another person, or the Lord takes time and attention. It takes a sort of letting go. It takes allowing the Other to be fully Herself/Himself. It takes accepting that it not all about me.

Thank you Lord for Now.

Wedding Season

by | Jul 2, 2008 | main

My niece got married last Saturday. A moderate sized affair, with a judge doing the honors. Family all around. I don’t know where the idea came from, but the nicest touch was the roses. Two long stemmed roses, one tucked into the flowers at each side of the bride and groom. After the vows, they each took a rose, and exchanged them as their first gift to each other as husband and wife. They were then instructed to find a special place in their home for the roses. When words fail, the judge told them, place a rose in the special spot. The other is to accept the gift… and not demand the proper words.

This works for apologies and joys, I think. Sometimes the words just don’t happen, but you really need to let someone know. Let them know whatever. Kind of like a prayer without words. I’m here. I’m sorry. I’m thrilled. I love you, but the words are doing it justice.