Papa projects.
They’re the best kind.
She comes to him needing batteries.
The youngest farmette.
The Christmas bears won’t sing.
With good reason.
I’ve had them for over 20 years.
They’re singing careers over.
Not that I’ve minded.
The 12 Days of Christmas on repeat certainly tried my patience.
Each child sat with those bears and held them and played with them.
Now the youngest farmette has discovered them and wants Papa to make them work.
He finds new batteries and. . . nothing.
They still wouldn’t work.
Much to my relief, I walk away thinking the bears will go back to the parlor. . . quiet.
Instead I hear Papa tell his youngest grand daughter, Let’s find a screw driver.
So, the Papa project began.
It wasn’t batteries they needed, there was a broken wire.
Soon those silent bears were no longer silent much to the delight of the two Grand girls!
It’s been years since I have heard them sing.
For a moment I was back with a house full of young children.
Creating a magical home glittering and twinkling.
Preparing our hearts for Advent.
Yearning to understand the Incarnate.
God with us.
Later Papa comes in for lunch and the youngest farmette sits with him.
Her hand on his.
My farmer.
My heart.
She looks so much like her mom at that age.
Blonde hair.
Bluest of eyes.
The years seem to have evaporated.
For a moment I watch them.
My heart so grateful.
I love the little family they have created.
I love time spent with them.
The bears continue to play in the background.
The oldest farmette shouts not again already, they’re so annoying.
I smile to myself.
I agree.
Yet, I will not change a thing.
For a moment time stands still.
Look for the gifts God sends our way.
Little moments.
Delightful grandchildren.
Snowy days.
Family gathered together.
The youngest farmette heads out with Papa to take care of the cows.
The Aunties take the oldest to see the Nutcracker movie.
Things will never be the same in this old farmhouse again.
The ache can consume me.
Yet, if I keep my eyes wide open I will see the gifts God is sending my way.
I want to fully embrace them.
I want this life to be about the story God is writing, not the story I though He would write.
I love this one. Gary doing surgery, Littlest Farmette posture saying she is eagerly awaiting results. The hands picture. And the last sentence slays me. So quotable. Off to write it in my journal and in my heart.