*The Brambleberry Cottage*: Family Love

Showing posts with label Family Love. Show all posts

Friday, August 26, 2011

An Enduring Love

MOM & DAD'S WEDDING/ANNIVERSARY CAKE

Today is a very special day!

For on this day—fifty-six years ago—my precious parents were wed.

MOM & DAD ON THEIR HONEYMOON IN 1955

They were merely teenagers when they made the decision to become

husband and wife.

With the consent and blessings of their parents, they committed their lives to one

another before a justice of the peace—no fanfare, no elaborate wedding...

just the two of them and two witnesses.

Now while most people consider the fiftieth wedding anniversary the anniversary

to celebrate, last year will most likely be the one most remembered by

my parents and their loved ones.

It all started when my dad decided to surprise my mom with the church wedding

she had never had, as a fifty-fifth anniversary gift. It was to be

a simple affair—

the two of them, their children and their children's families.

Simple...

with five daughters? I don't think so!

THE PASTOR, DAD, DAD'S BROTHER & BEST MAN

So while Mom and Dad were making plans for their simple wedding & anniversary

celebration, other plans were being made, as well.

MOM & DAD EXCHANGING VOWS

Without their knowledge, extended family members, friends, and acquaintances

were being invited to this blessed event. And arrangements were being made for a

catered reception—something neither of them had planned for...

nor expected.

DAD KISSING HIS BRIDE OF 55 YEARS

The ceremony was incredibly sweet, and few eyes were without tears, as we witnessed

yet another testimonial of the enduring love

of my parents.

THE HAPPY BRIDE & GROOM

As I watched my dad take the hand of his bride and walk down the aisle, I was

overcome with emotion.

With five daughters, he certainly was no novice at walking brides

down church aisles.

But...

this was the very first time he had ever walked his own bride down the aisle.

And I was blessed beyond measure to witness it!

I love you, Mom and Dad!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Monday, December 20, 2010

As Quickly as the Turning of the Leaves

"As quickly as the turning of the leaves in fall...

so my little boy became a man."
~Author Unknown~

I remember, as though it were yesterday, standing over you as

you peacefully slept in your hospital cradle. I contemplated nervously—but joyously—

what would be required of me as a new mom.

Even before you were ever born, I loved you.

But once you were here, I knew I would be willing to die for you.

To me, you were the most precious child that had ever been born.

And I watched, with utter delight, as you excitedly explored the

newness of the world around you in those early years.

Every holiday—like Christmas and Easter—

became an occasion of even greater joy,

as I experienced them anew...

through your wide-eyed innocence.

From your earliest years, you loved fantasy and make believe. And you totally

captivated me with your vivid imagination.

My sewing machine got quite the workout for a few years—

making all those fun costumes to

fuel your creativity.

Then, before I knew it, you were of school age.

You had such a zeal for learning, and I was frequently amazed

at how quickly you grasped concepts that were well beyond your years.

I really loved all the fun things we did while homeschooling.

The special bond that developed between us—

as a result of all the time spent together—

is something I will always treasure.

From my viewpoint, those years passed all too quickly!

I sometimes wonder who learned more—

you from me...

or me from you.

You've always been such a caring, loving, and protective

big brother to your sister. And to this day, you continue to be

one of her biggest heroes.

During all those years you played sports,

you know I was your biggest fan!

Did I ever embarrass you, Son—belting out my enthusiasm for you...

from the stands? ; )

Were you aware that there were many times my enthusiasm turned to

apprehension, as I watched some of your daredevilish feats?

I suppose you'll never outgrow your love of extreme sports.

Good thing I'm a praying mamma, huh?! ; )

Though you are much like me—serious-minded—

you are no stranger to fun.

Over the years, your quick wit and humorous antics have brought much

laughter and lightheartedness to our family.

And we have been blessed by your talents more than you realize.

As I reflect on this day—the 27th year since your birth—I am

blessed beyond words that the Lord saw fit to make

YOU my son!

I am proud of you, Joshua, and love you more than you will ever know.

Happy 27th Birthday, Baby!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

"Grandparents and grandchildren are God's gift to each other."–Unknown

Can you identify with that statement? I know I can—on two counts.

First, I was richly blessed to be a grandchild of grandparents whose love knew no bounds.

Then, just over two years ago, I became a grandparent, and that statement took on a whole new meaning.

I had the privilege of being in the delivery room with my daughter and her husband the day my granddaughter was born.

And though I must admit, it was quite difficult at times for me to watch my baby in so much pain as she was bringing her baby into the world...

having been a part of that process made little Lana Lexie a very special part of my life, from day one.

Hours after her birth, when I saw my son hold his newborn niece in his arms for the first time, my heart welled up with even more emotion.

There was my firstborn child holding my first grandchild.

How could that be?

Was it not just yesterday that he was the tiny baby being held?!

That Thanksgiving, embracing the precious new life who was now a part of our family, gave us each even more reason to be grateful.

And having a healthy grandbaby was the best Christmas present I could have received that year.

Now here we are, two years later!

It's hard to believe that so much time has passed since Lana's birth.

It makes me even more thankful for the minutes, hours, days I've spent with her thus far, storing up precious memories like—

Poppy teaching her to pull herself up by his strong, but gentle hands, when she was only a few months old...

and the contented look I often noted, on both of their faces, as he lovingly rocked her on his lap.

I remember the joy of watching my baby introduce her baby to her very first snow—though Lana was none too impressed that first year.

It was quite a different story just a year later!

And then there are the delightful memories of seeing her little eyes light up as she played in water—in the wading pool at Poppy and Grammy's, at nine months old...

and in the bathtub, a few months later, as she splashed around with her rubber ducky.

Two years of gazing into the big blue eyes on that sweet, angelic face...

and experiencing life once more...

through the adventurous spirit of an innocent, young child have filled me with such immeasurable joy—

truly, more than I could ever have imagined possible.

A few months ago, as I stood beside my handsome son and my precious granddaughter—now two years old—I was reminded of how blessed I have been over the years—first by my children and now by this child.

Children surely are a gift of the Lord—Psalm 127:3.

And there is no doubt in my mind that this child has put the "grand" in "grandma" for me!