The Best Day

Dear Kourtney, Maggie and Jacklyn,
Do you have any idea how much I love being your mother?  I cherish these days with you more than you'll ever understand.  Today was a little rough.  We got through our school work.....finally.  It was a day filled with deep conversations, plenty of tears, a splash of laughter and a truck load of love.  You girls (Kourtney and Maggie) are very aware of some of the hardships our loved ones are facing right now.  It kills me to see how badly this hurts you.  I love the amazing hearts of love and compassion you have for others.  You are so beautiful.
I heard this song today and couldn't help shedding a few tears.  I don't know what you'll say about your childhood when you're all grown up.  But I sure hope that you know how dearly, dearly loved you are.  You girls are everything to your Daddy and me.  We are so honored to get to be your parents and we really love who you are growing up to be.  If I could spend a day with anyone, I'd choose you girls.  I adore you!
Love,
Mommy
Here are the Lyrics:
The Best Day by Taylor Swift

I'm five years old, it's getting cold, I've got my big coat on

I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you, I run and run

Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides, look now, the sky is gold

I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home.

I don't know why all the trees change in the fall

But I know you're not scared of anything at all

Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away

But I know I had the best day with you today.

I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean

I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys

And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away

And we talk and window shop 'til I've forgotten all their names.

I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school

But I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you

Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay

But I know I had the best day with you today.

I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger

God smiles on my little brother, inside and out, he's better than I am

I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run

And I had the best days with you.

There is a video I found from back when I was three

You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me

It's the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs

And Daddy's smart and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world.

And now I know why the all the trees change in the fall

I know you were on my side even when I was wrong

And I love you for giving me your eyes

For staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm takin' this chance to say

That I had the best day with you today.

Me and May

In the movie, The Secret Life of Bees, I felt oddly connected to one character in particular.

The character is May Boatwright.  She is the sister of August and June Boatwright. She has a very childish nature and maybe a bit of a mental illness.  Those are not the things that made me feel connected to her, by the way.
She is highly sensitive to the pain of others and the world in general, she carries the weight of the world in her soul.

That's where I feel similar to May.
There have been so many sad things going on around me. So much so that I haven't even taken the time to blog.  (Have you noticed?)  I have been heartbroken over the destruction of several marriages....each one involving precious kids.  I have seen people make really bad decisions and not take into account the huge effect it will have on those around them.  I have been overwhelmed and heavy-hearted. 
Unlike May Boatwright, I refuse to allow my heaviness to consume me.
In church this past Sunday, our dear elder pastor, Ed Kopper, prayed a very familiar and comforting verse.  My heart has been lifted as I am reminded of the promise of Philippians 4:19, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory."
I guess I've only considered that verse when I've been stressed out financially.  Don't get me wrong, I need to remember it then as well.  SO thankful He takes care of our monetary needs!
However, this time I am comforted as I read that verse, realizing that each precious child involved in these torn apart homes, each heart-broken spouse....even all the other family members and friends that are feeling the pain of these circumstances.....will ALL be taken care of - according to His riches in glory.
What great confidence we have in Him!