Our community suffered a huge storm last week. High temps combined with an increase in humidity created thunder, lightning, heavy rains accompanied by wind conditions that looked like the storm in “The Wizard of Oz”. Unfortunately for some, a tornado formed and wreaked havoc along a stretch of expressway between two small towns. Although I have not seen many actual photos of the destruction, I was told cars and semi trucks were tossed about like feathers floating in the air when a pillow breaks. Our home was protected; our only casualty was loss of power Thursday evening to Saturday before sundown.

Our daughter lives about 40 miles from our home and they, too, lost power. Living in their newly built home, they’ve enjoyed country living at its best, until their own stretch of time with no running water…fear of losing recently purchased groceries…entertaining two small children who are accustomed to all the comfortable amenities life offers. Initially, when the power went off in their home young Cody, who is 4, yelled “Jesus, Siri! Turn on the lights”. I’m glad he called out as he did…and put in proper order the ones he believed could remedy the problem. Thankfully, too, when the crews flipped the switch, made the repairs to their connection, lights and TV powering up, our lil guy walked around the house in sing-song fashion “thank you God! Thank you God!”

Storms bring out the worst and the best in us. Last week’s unexpected interruption to an ordinary evening in front of the TV was quickly flipped as though mother nature was holding a remote in her hand. And, this past storm was not the first time we’ve had to weather through a few days with no running water or lights. In past years we were entirely at the mercy of waiting for precious electricity as we paced the floor worrying about a fridge and an extra freezer holding all of our food. We did our fair share of finding a source for water to flush toilets and learning to eat sandwiches or use the gas grill, which is great by the way for warming water to take a sponge bath!

While hearts and minds yearn for all conveniences to return, seeing and witnessing how neighbors and church family rally for one another gives refreshment to the soul. With the added benefit of social media, those fortunate to be operating full speed in their untouched homes offer hot showers, water, a place to charge digital devices, a break for weary bodies and minds. In times like we experienced last week–and in past years–our small community always rises to the surface to love, provide, and comfort. Then, power is restored. Grateful voices echo on social media singing praises to the hard working crews who’ve spent hours away from their own families…and slowly….as ordinary days are stacked one against another, we return to “normalcy”….complacency sets in where frenzy once raged….social media posts return to those fed with memes and photos of family activities….work crews and their heavy equipment trucks leave neighborhoods…cleanup takes care of upturned trees and damaged buildings….life as we like to enjoy has returned….until the next time…..based on experience, it’s only a matter of time. Winter’s coming. Can you spell i-c-e s-t-o-r-m?

Goodness, mid August has arrived with beautiful warm days with a spattering of nice rain mixed in during the week. Although some of my flowers are beginning to end their cycle of vibrancy, our lawn is a lush green….vegetable plants are beginning to yield their produce…and to my delight our blackberry bushes are going nuts!  For a couple weeks now I’ve been able to pick a bowl full of these delightful berries…some are making their way to the freezer for cold winter enjoyment…others have been devoured fresh with a dollop of greek yogurt as a healthy garnish!

I remember when I planted my first berry bush. Quite honestly, I thought I had purchased a red raspberry…turns out they are black. I nursed this lone plant for two years…much to my surprise and delight I now have quite a row of plants. I haven’t bothered to “tame” or “train” their growth…they look rather unkempt, much like a toddler’s head of hair after a good nap or wrestling on the floor. But I don’t care. I have berries!

Picking them is a nice leisurely activity except for the thorns. I’m also intrigued by how well hidden some of the berries are…hiding under leaves … .growing in small clumps deep inside all the growth of the strong tall canes. Getting to those hidden treasures is a challenge not to become “stuck” to a thorny vine,  or worse, suffering a painful poke to a finger or arm. Challenges and anticipation of a thorn meeting up with my skin is a risk I’m willing to take in order to harvest my own berries … .one less item to pay high price for at farmers’ markets or the grocer.

Today, while I carefully reached deep into the center growth of my bushes, I began to think about the hidden things of God.  As I sat down to write, I also looked online for scripture that talks about what I felt as I picked my berries…

Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119: 11

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44

I marvel at how one small berry bush I purchased a while back is now tall, bushy, vines in every direction, producing an abundance of berries and giving birth to “new” canes that are popping up in the grass nearby. And even though my berry patch is under a tree that is also growing tall and wider–providing some shade–the berries are still finding their way from late spring blossoms to fully ripened fruit. It’s also enchanting to be working away filling a bowl while bees buzz around me, completely content to do their work without bothering me.

Today, I am grateful for two kinds of treasure. One, an abundance of berries both very visible to my eye and the ones deep inside the thorny branches. Second, a sweeter harvest to glean from everyday…God’s Word…which I DO treasure in my heart…and which I DO rejoice over as I discover His promises..and thankfully His bounty comes without thorns.

Here it is…August is upon us and I feel like summer is about to end. Never mind there’s sure to be more hot humid days ahead until leaves begin to turn colors and fall to the ground, covering the lawn that has needed mowing almost weekly.

Small seeds and vegetable “starts” have long grown to harvest or didn’t fare well for whatever a lazy gardener did or didn’t do…other plants are still thriving, blossoms galore on the squash and cucumber…tomato plants are being slow pokes. Herbs are starting to look limp in the daytime heat no matter how much attention is given. 

Looking back, I’d admit that in May I had grand dreams for the summer months…we’d go on day trips…maybe a night or two over somewhere in Michigan we haven’t traveled to yet…boat rides…ice cream trips…maybe explore a couple hiking trails in our area. Dreams are great, but making them come true takes time and diligence. 

We didn’t make any overnight trips other than a conference in July. We also didn’t discover any hiking trails or boat rides, but we’ve enjoyed our fair share of ice cream with or without our grandkids … .we’ve spent evenings watching our oldest granddaughter play softball…we’ve had playdates, too, with all the grandchildren. We’ve done all this while keeping schedules where responsibilities have called us to be during the week and weekends …woven inside my husband’s cardio rehab appointments that have stretched from late spring until now…about to end in a few more visits. All this too, while he has worked his part time job and taken care of summer chores with cars and the house.

Admittedly, it’s been hard to fight off envy or sadness when friends post beautiful pictures of their vacations or family gatherings. Fortunately, I don’t allow myself to park very long in the “pity lane”, quickly reminding myself that sometimes best laid plans are interrupted…circumstances beyond our control. Arriving from moments of sadness to feelings of contentment give me a greater sense of peace…lessons learned from letting go of expectations and accepting what daily life offers.

With August here, delivering its last of the hot humid days…mixed with much needed rain…comes the anticipation of fall with all its beauty…cool breezes…weather that requires a cozy sweatshirt…pumpkin spice everything (smile)….empty school classrooms filling up with happy children….moms and dads adjusting to the quiet an empty home creates when little ones are not under tow….yes, summer days can put me in a slight “daze” if I think too much of what I think I’m missing rather than focusing on the blessings in front of me…besides, hiking and overnight trips aren’t just reserved for the summer. 

“Sanks”

“Melcome”

“I love you”

“Excuse me”

“What’s happenin?”

“What’s that sound?”

Toddler phrases. Short little sentences. Curious minds. Conversations that have many mystery words while continued development takes place. Such is part of my world right now and I love it.

I remember a time when I wondered if I’d become a grandmother? I was watching other people cross over this tender threshold in life…making room in their hearts to welcome a new member to their families! And I wanted that so bad for myself. And then it happened. By 2015 we welcomed our first grandchild, a girl…along came a grandson in 2018, a second boy in 2019 and our last grand was another girl in 2020. The longings I once held in a tight heart are now replaced with beautiful healthy children–each very unique and made perfect in God’s image.

Soon, as speech began my “mom” title was replaced by “Ga”…my husband was “Da”. Our oldest grandson called us gramma/grampa as though we are one entity; the youngest boy calls us “Ah-ma” and “Ah-pa”. It’s our littlest gal who has always called us grandpa and gramma with clarity in her husky voice!

We love any amount of time spent with our grandchildren, especially as they are growing and learning faster than we keep up with them! Macklynn is 8 now and loves softball and basketball. Her brother Coby is into vehicles of any kind and remembers each one by description. How he does that amazes me considering he is now four. Jacks knows his “bugs” and has never met a stranger. I love watching him talk to people wherever he goes. Mylah is very independent and a take-charge kind of gal–she loves Disney and is a good climber on the equipment at playgrounds. 

Although all of those things above are wonderful, the best part of their four lives is they are being taught about God. Our adult children take their family to church quite consistently and at home bibles are read and hands are folded to pray. During fair week recently, four year old Jacks learned that a horse had “tummy issues” and he told the girl who would be “showing” the horse “I will pray for his tummy to feel better when I take my nap”.

Macklynn–who was not ready a couple years ago  to be “bathmatized” made the decision to do just that in October 2022. Prayers that she develops a strong heart, a wise mind, and be tender have proven to be evident. She excels at math and cares deeply about others–winning the Kindness Award two times from her teachers.

We’ve prayed that Jacks would be healthy, smart and happy. His smile lights up a room and he enjoys making others laugh! Jacoby is our hesitant one, he takes a while to process change but prayers for him to have a strong mind show in some stubbornness that keeps getting harnessed…he is cuddly by nature on his own terms, too, quick to offer “I love you” when least expected. Mylah is indeed a “warrior” and gracious…two qualities her parents have asked God to instill in her. She’s quick to help others with anything around her, turning many day-to-day chores into a chance to “learn” and “do”.

Four little people have changed my life and world. It’s been pure joy so far and I know there’s a lot more ahead–ready or not–here I sit waiting for the next conversation or adventure through a young mind.