Hard to believe six months have already passed us by.
During this short season the landscape of our life has been painfully pruned back by the gardener, fertilized and re-seeded for new and beautiful growth; but yet, that most sacred ground and scenery of our heart has remained untouched, unchanged.
Time does not discriminate and show favor to the weary, the broken, and those resisting the shears of the gardener’s pruning.
But life goes on as it should.
There’s wonder and beauty to be unwrapped and unveiled to those willing to continue their passage through the steep hills and rough terrain of change.
Remembering there are no shortcuts or detours, just one-way signs of “going thru” that difficult process of mining the heartache to discover those diamonds of new beginnings.
Lot 232 remains just as I remember.
The furniture hasn’t moved nor any picture or book out of place since I cleaned it last.
Contagious laughter of small children still echoes from the walls that captured their innocence seated around the table, each eating the spoils from the scavenger hunts of their grandmother’s cupboards.
The smells of the kitchen still retain their aromatic flavor and the recipes and memories remain that once framed the holiday dinner portraits at moms; the legacy gift I cherish most from her.
Evident from the unwrinkled comforter, mother’s bed hasn’t been slept in; although the soft music she used to play continuously from the small radio on her nightstand can be slightly heard if I lean in ever so closely.
Lot 232 hasn’t changed a bit in my heart, but of all the details I wish I could change, it would be that my key to Lot 232 still opened the front door to my mother’s life.
So much has changed these last six months and yet, that most sacred ground and scenery of our heart has remained untouched, unchanged.
Daughters are little girls who never outgrow the need to share those heart gushes with her mother.
Grandchildren need those rocking chair moments with their grandmother too.
The merry-go-round of living keeps spinning and changing, and how I desperately want off this ride.
But life must go on as it should;
Walking in the peace,
The calm and
Serenity of God’s love;
A journey that allows the Father to carry our troubles while carrying us when we need Him to.
“Going on” mandates the “letting go” of what our heart strings desperately cling to. It’s giving to God what has been His from the beginning.
There’s no looking back in the rear view mirror when your life is moving forward.
We must allow God to pack our suitcase of memories; a loving tour guide who encourages traveling light, not weighted down from the cares of what “used to be”.
I sure love you mom.
I keep your beautiful smile in my heart of remembrances.
Your prayers for the three generations you petitioned God for were not in vain.
Your prayers have taught us to place our hope in God.
And accept the things we cannot change.
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the
Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can and
Wisdom to know the difference.
I drove by Lot 232 just the other day; an address one street over from when we used to be neighbors. Seems like yesterday we were sharing an early morning cup of coffee together on your porch.
They say you can take the neighbor out of the neighborhood, but never the neighborhood from the neighbor.
We’ll always be neighbor’s mom.
Addresses may change.
But keys to the front door of our memories will never need a locksmith.
Thank you God for Lot 232.
I have no doubt my mother didn’t need a change of address in heaven.
I’ll know exactly where to find her.
Apples of Gold Encouragement 