mom to mom

I've fallen down in a big way in getting to know my neighbors. Our neighbor's son died this week of a heart attack. He was 37 years old and used to wait on the school bus with our girls as kids. I took some food to the family yesterday and talked with the mom for just a few minutes and she let me pray for her and her family, but I don't really know her even though we've lived a few houses away from one another for nearly 30 years.

I knocked on the door and was invited inside where she and her other son watched a little television--passing the hours, the minutes. She seemed peaceful in her recliner as she held her coffee in one hand and tightly grasped my hand with the other. As I prayed for her, her grip grew tighter and afterward her gaze on me was strong. Not uncomfortably so, just intense--mom to mom.

I asked her a few questions about Paul. He'd already had a heart attack once before and open heart surgery. It was the second one that was fatal. His mom said he didn't want to die in the hospital. She said he wanted to be at home when it happened. I told her, "There's nothing wrong with that."

My visit was a short one. I didn't really know what more to say after praying. She thanked me for the food and I walked out the door and down the street back to our house.

Her quiet demeanor, her pain, her gaze, spoke volumes to me--deep unto deep. I can't get her off my mind and I've prayed for her often since yesterday. I don't know how mothers let their children go--even in death where there is no choice but to release them.

My heart breaks for her. Her tragedy pulls at me. I am so very sorry she is going through this--this neighbor, this stranger who lives a few houses down. Life can be so hard, so devastatingly and so unutterably sad. I pray her son was a Christian. I pray the Holy Spirit will comfort this grieving mother.

I pray I will be a better neighbor.

Lord, help me be your hand extended more than ever before. You've never let me down. I love you more than words can say.

Suz

family and Friday night

Our kids came over on Friday night for a family dinner. Something we haven't done in a while. Seems like it's been crazy lately with everything and getting together just hasn't happened. See, the thing is that getting together never "just happens." It's got to be scheduled in, planned and done deliberately. It's worth it to make the effort. We had a great time! I can't wait till we can do it again.

We didn't do anything fancy. I grilled some chicken and cooked a few side dishes. Amy brought a great salad with all the yummy accoutrement and Holly made a fantastic Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding for our dessert. All together, it was delicious meal! But the best part was having us all together. The girls and I laughed and talked about recipes, etc., the guys talked hunting, property, etc., and the younger ones chased chickens, carried chickens, and watched tv, while Hannah goofed off with us older girls and drove the golf cart around.

Each time I got close to one of my grandkids, I hugged and held on tight, whispering to her...or him...how much I loved each one. How glad I was to have them at my house. These children are my heart. I have missed them tremendously. I didn't want to let them go. As the evening progressed I thought about how blessed Byron and I are. I wouldn't change anything about my girls, their husbands or their children. This is the family God has given us. They are a perfect fit and I am grateful for them all.

And that's it. There's no huge story to tell. Nothing overtly exciting happened. We got together, ate a great meal, and enjoyed the evening. And for this, I am humbly grateful.

Father, thank you. Thank you! You are good to me. You are good.

Love,

Suz