My uncle Jay

My uncle Jay died suddenly two weeks ago on April 6th.  Today's post is in memory of him.  Here's the slide show I created for his funeral.  He was full of life, and we will miss him.

a quote & a blessing

I've recently been reminded of this quote by Henri Nouwen, and it has been rolling around in my head:

"The more you are called to speak for God's love, the more you will need to deepen the knowledge of that love in your heart. The farther the outward journey takes you, the deeper the inward journey must be. Only when your roots are deep can your fruit be abundant" (The Only Necessary Thing).

I wonder, is this one of the reasons God called me to memorize the book of James? (One chapter + one verse down today!)


And such a blessing, my sweet husband and boy surprised me with breakfast in bed this morning.


And God surprised me with a lovely view of spring blooms out my window. I couldn't ask for more!

In one room...

Lives are shared. You begin to see...
the struggles,
the messiness that is life,
the hurts,
the celebrations,
the desires long forgotten.
You can feel the tension
and the release of finally sharing.


Stories are told. You begin to see...
your father's fingers stained from the Mulberry tree on Sunday afternoons,
your grandfather's little boy legs around the horse on his early morning ride to school,
your grandmother's strong young arms holding babies close,
history come to life.


Memories are stored up. You notice...
those hands work-worn like your father's,
the color of that cheek bright once more,
the slant of their noses just so,
the note a chuckle takes.


Four generations,
family,
in one room.
A gift.