Saturday, October 30, 2010

How Did I Get Here?

"Trick or treat!"

Three simple, little words that rocked my world today. And I wondered, How did I get here?

My little one held out a plastic, grinning pumpkin and chirped the words excitedly, waiting to see what goodies the stranger would drop into the orange bucket. And as I looked at my child in wonder, I thought, How did I get here? When did I get old enough to have kids? Had I really been a mom long enough to have a child old enough to trick or treat?

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of my own mom. She stood watching us from afar as we collected goodies. And I thought, If I'm wondering how I got here, I bet she's thinking the same thing- 'How could it be possible for my baby to have a baby?'

Could it be possible that 20 years had passed since I'd done this same tradition with my cousins? There I stood- the parent- watching as my child had a plastic pumpkin filled by  strangers, reminding 'Be sure to say thank you,' and 'Only ring the doorbell once.'

It made me a little sad. The years have passed so quickly, and I know my mom misses the days when my sister and I wished the hours away until we could put on our costumes, grab a pillowcase, and walk for hours collecting treats from the neighbors. I miss those times, too. Life was easy and sweet.

Now that I have children of my own, we're making memories with them. Watching as they wish away the hours until the costume can be slipped on, the pumpkin can be filled, and the candy shared with cousins. The time between trick or treating child and trick or treating with my child has passed quickly.

 And while I contemplate how quickly the years slipped by, my question is not, How did I get here? Rather it is, How could I end up anywhere else but here?

Monday, October 25, 2010

First Blog (aka- Stumped!)

October 25, 2010

My first blog. I've thought of so many things that I would write about if I had a blog. Now that I sit here, the ideas that I had elude me. As I ponder what my first post will be, one thing comes to mind- I hope to encourage others.

Life here is not perfect. Nor is it idyllic. Those of us who live UTRTR are flawed and surely if you follow my blogging journey, you'll see my flaws and shortcomings clearly. However, when you finish reading, I hope that you will go away feeling encouraged and, perhaps, inspired to find your own beautiful moments in life and share them with others.

So, I close for tonight, contemplating my next post. There is so much to share- God is good and Jesus is the center of this home. I can hardly wait to share this journey, not only with those UTRTR, but also with anyone who chooses to read and follow our journey as we strive to be more like Jesus.