Blast from the Past

I was looking for a few things in my junk room and found this old photo from the 80's in there. I sat down at stared at these faces. And I began to think:
Did I ever begin to imagine how my children would grow up? Did I ever envision who they would become? And what of me? Did I ever think of where or what I would be in 20 years? Certainly not. To be specific this photo was taken in November 1988. Must've been close to Thanksgiving if I can surmise by the little Christmas tree apron my daughter is wearing. And I always wore that apron. I still have it, although it doesn't drape as sveltly these days. hahaha

We were living in Orlando Florida at the time. You know, the land where you need to run the A/C 365 - 24/7 ? We had a huge live oak in our backyard and lots of flowers that I wish I could grow in here in N.C. Down there they were perrenials; here at home they are annuals if I can even find them.



At this time, I was home schooling my children. Today they are grown. One is married and one is about to be married and the other one is studying on getting married.

I was still the center of their world, the master of their universe. Back then, every day was Mother's Day, for all the charming little gifts I would receive. I was in awe of these children and so very aware of the true gift from the Lord that they were and are.

I wanted to make their childhood magical. I wanted to capture them in a time bubble so they would always be this age. I wished more than once that I could take them all to Neverland so they would never grow up. I was Wendy to their Pan. I would read them stories each nite and each nite it never failed that I had to go into their room and warn them repeatedly to be still and go to sleep. I say their room because at this particular time, they all wanted to sleep in the same room. They loved each other's company so very much and didn't want to miss a moment of each other's thoughts and dreams. Sometimes I would stand outside that door and dream right along with them.

Today, my oldest one is a professor of science at a college in NY State. He still loves fairy tales, and that is evident in his pursuit of the science of skepticism.


Paul will be married this August to a lovely girl. I couldn't have chosen a better mate for him.


Joshua is working on getting his license for Massage Therapy. His soul mate is a wonderful girl that could have been one of mine. Just the right mixture of mischief and sweetness. He was the one that was always bringing home critters. Every family has one of those. And some things never change. He is still finding critters and bringing them home.


Sarah is married to the quietest man next to my Luscious that I have ever known. I keep telling her that still waters run deep. Sarah was the quintessential baby sister. And she ruled the roost. Come to think of it, she is STILL the ring leader.



If someone told me 20 years ago that my children would be marvelous adults I would have agreed with a certainty.
If someone had told me 20 years ago that I would be married again and be happy, I would have said they were telling a whopper. What a special gift my Luscious is to me. God always saves the best for last! It's a good thing we can't really see the future. Having always believed in happy endings, I know that the best is yet to come.