I was catching up with our dear friend Alice Spickard after church service today, and it struck me how wonderful it was to linger and catch up with friends.

“You know what just hit me?” I smilingly said to Alice. “We are here, hanging out after worship. No ducking out quickly to get Anne home and into bed.  How fun is it that I’m having to wait on her?” as I glance over at Anne chatting it up with a few friends.

“It’s those little things that remind you how far you’ve come since last year,” Alice rejoined. “You put a hard year behind you, and now you’re savoring moments that we so easily take for granted,” a look of compassion and joy on her face.

“Ooooo! Maybe that should be a blog post. I’ve been meaning to write…”  Alice nodded.

Hardly a day passes that something doesn’t remind me of what we lost, but are now regaining.  Little sign posts of restoration. Sometimes you don’t remember what you’ve lost until it’s given back to you…

Lingering after church service.

Anne running down the beach with our Goldendoodle.

Catching up with Anne after a busy day.

Going to the movies together as a family.

Anne belly-laughing.

Coming home to a family dinner.

Hearing about Anne’s great haircut.

Making up the bed, tag-team style.

Anne’s enthusiasm to serve as a room mom for Sarah’s first grade class this year.

New picture frames on several chests of drawers.

The sparkle in Anne’s eyes.

And Lord, thank you for the sparkle. May it continue to shine brightly from those big brown eyes.