Kindergarten

When I see these lunchboxes, I find myself going to where this story begins
to a summer when two sisters, living on different continents, called me . . .
unbeknownst to each other . . . to tell me of their pregnancy.
Both of them a surprise.

They were phone calls bearing news that deserves more
than what can be expressed over a telephone wire,
and yet, holding out precious hope.

When a mom hugs her grown daughters good-bye at the airport
this is the kind of moment . . .  one of  many silent goodbyes . . . she hides in her heart,
tempering the joy of anticipating these two babies
with the fact that they may never really know each other.

But . . . the Lord who promised His grace had a plan I did not know about
and this is why this "borrowed" time today is so very special -
the fact that these cousins have had almost two years
to play and be silly together, to be read to together,
to eat together and to attend Wee College together.
When one comes over, the question is
whether the other is coming too.

The times I don't have them together are less than the times I do,
but for their start of school dates I took them out individually.




Makenna and I spent some time at a local farm market.
She enjoyed the playground and feeding the animals
 

and the corn maze . . . although that would have been more fun to share.

She is ready for Kindergarten.
As we were driving there, she wanted to know the name of the farm.
I told her it was called Mann Farms . . . and somehow she understood
Mann Farm, so she was looking for the sign that started with an M
and ended with M
We found it and she saw it did not end with M
Her favorite activity will probably have to do with music.
She is one who can be perfectly content sitting on the swing under the tree and singing,
by memory, a song she has maybe heard twice.
 

Landon's choice date was to go to the water park at Mill Lake.
There is also a great playground there.
A nice spot for a warm summer day!
I love how he could decide for himself exactly what he would like to do with just Mimi.
 

I'm not sure how Landon's love for wheels, hockey sticks and balls
will play itself out at school yet . . . but his gentle nature will certainly
gain him a good standing with his peers.

I pray for these special  middle grands
that, as the world keeps on opening up for them,
they will continue to grow in every good way and deed.
May God fill their hearts with much joy . . .
to sing loudly . . . and to run with fervor in the way that they should go.

To our almost twin cousin grands . . . a big hug on this, your first day of Kindergarten!