Nope. I still can’t write about this boy’s arrival in our family. It’s too tender and miraculous. He showed his strength and resilience even before he was born.
Strength and resilience are qualities that I still admire in Daniel.
Weekend
General conference weekend with all of the family together makes me happy.
The Power of a Small Change
There is a crossing guard that I see every day as I drive to and from school. In previous years, he has kept his head down. Sometimes playing on his phone, he seemed oblivious to everyone around him, including the kids waiting for him to notice they were standing across the street.
About a week ago, I noticed that this crossing guard is not looking down anymore. He isn’t on his phone. He has started to wave at each passing car. At first, I chuckled and wondered if he had gotten in trouble for being on his phone. Now, I look forward to the wave. I tell the kids in the car to wave back with me.
What a happy change when someone decides to turn outside of themselves. It’s amazing to see the transformation.
My Favorite Chapter in the Book of Mormon
Mosiah 18 has it all: an imperfect, repentant priest who preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ to great effect; persecution, blessings for those who labor in the church, wise counsel on religious behavior, and protection from the Lord. If I had to choose just one chapter to keep from the Book of Mormon, it would probably be this one. I wonder which one you would choose. It’s a tough question to answer, I know.
Nights Apart
My favorite quality in Richard is he can make everything better, whether it’s an everyday meal, a long meeting, a stormy night, a painful illness, or a Tuesday evening. When he is away for Scout camps, I sleep with the light on, not because I am afraid, but because light is the closest substitute for what he is to me.
A Change
With Mark in public school this year, I have noticed two big changes in my life. I don’t have to run everywhere I go, including through the house. I have time to walk. And, all I want to do is write, so I do.
Mark is so dear, and he is doing very well.
Senior Year
Oh, yes, I remember. This is how my heart feels during a child’s senior year of high school: squeezed, stretched, and anxious. I avoided it for a few weeks, but I have arrived at the tissue phase.
I have been working on compiling pictures of Daniel’s Scouting years so I can really wallow in the sweet agony.
Today’s journey through memory brings forth his collections, erudite vocabulary, his good leaders, a tiny blue cast for his leg, the homeschool years, desert views, piano playing, and speckled blue eyes.
A child’s influence is very powerful. Raising Daniel has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Daniel’s Eagle Project
For Daniel’s Eagle project, we freed these teens who were locked in the nursery closet for several years. They had grown a few feet taller, and had survived on goldfish crackers and kept clean with hand sanitizer. They didn’t seem to be bored with the toys. They played happily with the cash register, farm toys, tools, puzzles and kitchen sets as we cleaned the area. The reunions with their parents were too precious to photograph.
The shelf installation went smoothly. Not pictured are many people who donated the materials for the project, and Daniel’s grandpa who helped him with a design and ideas. I feel very grateful for the support people showed Daniel.
What I might have missed
If I had canceled the Relief Society presidency meeting like I wanted to, because I was tired, we wouldn’t have gone through the names of the sisters in the ward. If we hadn’t gone through the names, one by one, we wouldn’t have thought to visit a sister yesterday, and we would have missed out on one of the most remarkable visits ever. During the visit, the woman told us some of her life story, which I would never have guessed, all around the theme of God being involved in her life.
I came away from the visit with a few lessons.
- Everyone has a story, and it needs to be shared. Write your stories for your families! Don’t wait until you are old.
- You can’t always gauge a person’s faith by appearances.
- The Lord directs the work of Relief Society. How else would we have known to go to this home?
- My counselors and secretary are inspired. They are the right ones for the job.
- Connection can only happen when we show who we really are.
A piece of cake and trips to Home Depot
Yesterday, my friend Janine brought Timothy a piece of chocolate cake to congratulate him on his piano solo played in church. Many others have cheered for him and congratulated him in other ways.
Daniel’s Eagle project is this week, and the doorbell keeps ringing with people coming by with supplies. So far, every person who has come by has asked how he or she could help more. Other people have heard about it and have taken time to inquire what else is needed. Weeks ago, my parents gave up an evening to help Daniel begin the planning and design of his project.
I am no stranger to seeing the generosity of our neighbors, whether it is for funerals, illnesses, moves, births, gatherings, or weddings. This week, though, we are the direct recipients of this generosity and my heart is touched. When your child stretches, or does something difficult or new, you just love the people who show up to help and encourage.