Away

I have been away.

 

I traveled alone.

I flew to visit my parents and to celebrate my mother’s 70th birthday.

We last saw each other 2 years ago.

This time with my mom and dad was a gift.

My darling hubby encouraged me before I left with this Word ~

“Treasure your time with your parents.  You each have been given a basket to collect precious moments and treasured memories.  We send you with our blessing.  Go and enjoy them.”

I wept with gratitude.

I had phoned my mom and told her that I would come with “open heart and willing hands“.

We baked and prepared for her party.

I helped her here and there.

But mostly I joined her life.

She’s so creative! 

She has busy hands and fills her days with inspired work.

Quilting, sewing, fabric painting, making gifts, making chocolates.

 She’s a physiotherapist with healing hands.

Her patients love her and need her to ease their pains.

Her birthday was a special day.  I met her neighbors, close friends, the marvelous ladies in her quilting group called “Always in Stitches” – and boy, do they laugh!

During the week she taught me the latest tricks of free-hand machine embroidery and paper-piecing quilting.

(I have lots to learn & practice!)

 

I loved every minute of my time with her.

We had good chats at the dinner table. 

We talked, remembered early times, laughed, cried, prayed.

Amazingly, my family back home thrived and survived without me! [smiles]

My daughters cooked, cleaned, did washing and ran the farm and did their household chores without my reminders.

My eldest sat for her mid-year exams on her own!

I am delighted. 

Life skills at work.

This kind of independence is good for growing young adults.

Consistency, routine and good habits have created those Charlotte Mason “railroad tracks” and days continued smoothly … while I was away.

Homeschooling works.

I am so grateful!

… Grateful for time and relationships.

… Grateful for grace to leave hubby and home.

… Grateful for children who released me despite their insecurities or fears,

despite exams and end-of-term pressure.

I am grateful to be able to be present where it mattered most.

And I am grateful to be back home,

Loved and belonging.

For family.

Blessings,

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