Free Cone Day!

Kayla said it was the best day of her life. Free ice cream from Ben and Jerry's!!! The kids were so excited about it when they heard, which is kind of funny to me because, really, do they ever pay for their ice cream? I have to admit, though, that we all got two cones. Shamelessly, we went back for more.

Grief. It's painful. It hits at the strangest times. It's draining. I hate to see people I care about grieving. I wish so much that it would just go away. That the hurt and sadness would be gone, without a trace. But that is not the way it works, is it? We go through the process and find healing somewhere in the midst of it.
But there is a great blessing in grief. How sad would it be to have nothing to grieve? To lose a friend, a family member and pay your respects but feel no loss. That might be the saddest of all. The pain and grief from the passing of a loved one points to the love and relationship that was there. And for that, I am grateful.

"O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be."

from "O Love that Will Not Let Me Go" by George Matheson, 1882

My Papa

My papa died this morning. One day after his 62nd wedding anniversary. He and my grandma had a great lunch out to celebrate yesterday.
It is a strange feeling to know that he is not here any longer. How does that happen? Some people say death is a natural part of life. I don't agree. It is very unnatural. It was never supposed to be like this. It is strange that the world goes on, even after the loss of someone so special. My papa was such a good, humble man.
He went around helping everybody. That's just who he was. He was a talker. Oh my was he a talker. Could talk about anything for as long as you would listen. And he seemed to know so much about nature. I've always remembered that. He and Grandma had beautiful gardens full of veggies. Grape vines, apple trees. He was actually headed up the hill to plant potatoes when he passed away. He was a hard worker, always. And he loved my Grandma.
I remember a conversation with him a couple years ago when he said he didn't know if he could be sure of his salvation. He knew his need and where it was met. It was sort of "I believe, help my unbelief." And through my tears this morning, I had joy for him because he knows now. He knows.
And this just after Easter, when we celebrate the risen Christ, in whom is all our hope.

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully..." I Corinithians 13:12

Easter Weekend Pictures

Isaiah 53:5

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities,
the punishment that brought us peace
was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Praise God this Easter morning!

A Wedding Moment

We all went to a wedding this weekend. It really was a beautiful day to get married. But, I think this was the most beautiful thing I saw all day, hands down. Doesn't get much sweeter than this.

More Literary Moments

Brian's been reading a good bit of Wendell Berry lately. I have not, though, and neither of course has Kayla. Which might be why she picked up this book and said in pure shock, "MOM! Dad is reading a book about a CHICKEN with NO feathers and it's hanging upside DOWN!"
The latest note that came flying down the stairs. This one came during the day when the kids were supposed to be cleaning their rooms.

Finally...

It took weeks but I finally got my turn to check out "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." It's great. I found myself thinking what a delight it was to read, even with the thread of sadness and suffering throughout.
I'd like to say I recommend it but I said that to a friend about another book I read and she hated it. Oops! ( I recommend it anyway!)
The problem I'm having is that once I check out a book from the library, I almost always want my own copy! I bought all of Marilynne Robinson's books and now I want this one. Where's that book budget?

Homeschool Bowling

The local bowling alley offers homeschool bowling the first Friday of the month. $1.50 a game and free shoe rental. So we've gone a few times with our snow sledding buddies. The kids just didn't seem as into it this time. Jack and Nathan talked fishing most of the time.
Jack did get a strike and was pretty excited about it.

Kayla usually uses the ramp. After about three frames she decided she was done and I finished her game for her- which I was kind of happy to do. It's nothing like bowling on a Wii though!

Jack decided he was done about half way through the game. Maybe next time?