Eleven years ago..

Eleven years ago today I woke up late, with eyes puffy from crying the night before. Some family members had upset me. Eleven years ago I drove to the hair salon, butterflies in my stomach, to get my hair pretty. Eleven years ago today I ran out the front door to greet the FedEx man with a hug. He stood there, looking stunned, wondering why this woman with the beautiful (at least I thought) hair was hugging him and screaming in excitement. He just didn't understand the peace he brought me -- the joy that would set the tone for the next 11 years. It was only a piece of paper, how could that bring me joy?
You see, he brought a copy of my birth certificate. Yes, it took a trip to Tennessee on the way from Lincoln to Columbus, but it meant I was free to travel to out of the country. (It wasn't until a year later -- after the 9/11 attacks -- that I would need a passport to travel to Jamaica.)
Eleven years ago today, I married the most amazing man in the world. He is my best friend. He understands me, sometimes even more than I understand myself. He helps me learn to be patient. He helps me to step back and see the big picture. He helps me to realize that the small things are not things to lose sleep over. He helps me to love others for who they are and to look for the good in them. He loves me unconditionally.
That piece of paper the FedEx man brought arrived just in time to head to the church and marry Tracy and allow us to leave for a week to begin our life as husband and wife.
What an amazing day! Much like the weather today. But my heart is much fuller. I didn't know that was possible.
But yes, Tracy, it IS possible: YOU MAKE MY HEART SMILE!

Be Still and Know...

"Be still and know that I am God." Wow. How hard that is to do. I have been trying to instill those words in my mind, my heart and my being for some time now -- especially when it comes to parenting. It's challenging, though, when I am bombarded by the pressures of life: wife, mom, nurse, teacher, referee, cab driver...the list goes on.
But when I do take the time to "be still," I'm amazed at how much He blesses me. It might come in the feeling of a weight, a burden, being lifted. That moment where I pause and remember why I love my children so much. That moment when I have that fleeting feeling of why I married this wonderful man 11 years ago.
Don't get me wrong, it's a struggle to "be still." But when I do, oh how He touches my life. In turn, my life (hopefully) touches someone else when I see all He has given me. God is good!