saturday celebration

The morning was beautiful. The bright blue sky that held the sun, and the little wisp of breeze that was just passing through. We sought the narrow lengths of shade provided by the tall palm trunks, and even though it wasn't much, it was deemed enough. We set up chairs along the curb, and hung tote bags on the arms... ready to grab when the sky would begin raining candy.

This parade is a long-standing tradition in this town... and we haven't missed many in the fourteen years of calling Florida home. Looking back, there are as many years we have participated as those when we have been spectators. In the parade, or on along the curb, there is never a shortage of fun. Or candy.

We clapped, we sang, we cheered, we stood with hands coving our hearts. And I may have yelled at a little boy who ran out in front of an ATV, thinking it was Camden. How I mistook him, I will never know... if I stood those two boys together Camden would have towered over him by three feet. I somehow forget that mine are no longer little.

I will tuck this Saturday morning away as one of my favorites. Sunshine and smile on my face, friend on one side of me, and sister on the other. And six kiddos... big and small... just having fun.  (How did I not get a picture of all six?  These are the cousins!)

Oops... make that seven. That's Eric on the ATV, throwing candy to the crowd, and he had a great time, too!

chasing the sky

My eyes are forever drawn to the sky.
The sun shining through the clouds, sending golden rays to earth, never ceases to amaze me.  I hope to capture the beauty, and yet know... that there is no holding of the sky, just as there is no holding back the years.  This morning, after passing up three or four others, I decided to take the time to seek the perfect vantage point for the glory in the sky.  But chasing the sky only turned me back around to what I know... beauty is fleeting.  Chasing the sky may be exciting, filling me with anticipation of what might lie around the bend... but perhaps there is more beauty in grasping on to one small moment and enjoying it for all its worth on this side of the bend.
I move on with my day, glancing to the sky time and again... and see that the moment has well passed now that the sun has climbed higher still. 
But tomorrow is another day... another sunrise. 
Another chance at amazement. 
I choose to live knowing that... and trusting that God has more beauty to reveal.

still... and hopefully forever

I spin the beads around my wrist.

I listen for the jingle at my ears.

I reach up for it around my neck, loving the shape of it.

These are the pieces of Africa I can touch. The bits that I can hold in my hand.
There is more... the visions and memories, dancing in my mind that make me feel like Africa was last week, not three months ago.
Three months?
Oh, the tears come. Love for Africa still runs through my body... and makes my heart swell.
Forever, I hope.

halloween this year, part 2

Just before the last hour, they made great progress. Room clean enough, graphs made- at least in rough draft... and it was on to costume creation. And sometime in that last hour, within the frenzy, it became fun again. Camden zombifying an old tee shirt & sweatpants... Laura rediscovering parts of her outfit from decades day during homecoming week. Phone calls and texts were exchanged... meeting places determined. And then... a few pictures while the sun was still high enough in the sky...