The Women in My Life (God Moments)

I’ve been told that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.  Well, maybe.  For certain, the all of God’s creation is amazing and He has allowed me to taste my share.  And I know the peace and joy of His salvation.  But I must confess that idiom also rallies up some sort of perverse pride trait from deep within that demands a recount of those numerous heartaches and trials that drew out night after night.  A tally of the illnesses that drained and disappointments that overwhelmed.  An iteration of the countless failures in every aspect of life.  As if an enumeration of those all too common struggles and the attached survival of each would add a mite to that ledger of self-worth that lies just below the surface of my consciousness.  As said, perverse, and an exercise of questionable worth.  Better to add up the positive.  For to be sure I’ve more than survived.  I’ve thrived and flourished.  Not by my hand, but His.

Silver spoon?  Maybe.  Blessed?  Definitely.  And in no small part those blessings have been manifested in the form of family and more specifically, by the women in my life. 

I was thumbing through some old photo albums the other day and came across this picture:

A moment of time frozen in place.  The time – a season of life bookended by my entrance into marriage on one side and the death of my mother on the other.  The place – a wellspring giving rise to so many captivating memories dating back to early childhood.  A place of quiet on the shores of Hood Canal that we simply called Holly.  So much has changed since that day at the beach.  The memories blossom and fade.  But the people in our lives influence our very souls.

From left to right:

Kristin Ann – my second oldest niece.  Number two niece as it relates to age - tied for the number one ranking in terms of favorability.  Never misses a chance to sneak up behind me during our family water fights.  Always ready to laugh.  I watched from a distance as she battled afflictions in her youth and I’ve come away both humbled and inspired.  Now, a devoted and loving mother of two young boys.  Not to mention a professional photographer with a wonderful “eye” for capturing family maternity moments. 

Jamie Lynne - my wife.  A picture is worth a thousand words - especially mine.

Madelynn Esther - my great niece.  Now a young woman with a beautiful smile that seemingly never leaves her face.  Currently at college pursuing a major with a name impossible to pronounce, much less spell.  An avid outdoors person with a heart for others.  Occasionally I see mannerisms and facial expressions that remind me of my Mom.  A joy to watch her grow over the years.

Carol Lee - my sister.  Older than me by six years and my only sibling.  The mother of Amy Lynn and Kristin Ann…..and a son who shall remain nameless.  Where to start?  An accomplished pianist and I mean really, really good.  A recurring source of envy on my part as the sum of my musical talent can be best characterized by one word – embarrassing.  I digress.  Being the older, the instigator of many memorable childhood escapades.  Such as the evening we walked into the hornets nest while exploring the vacant lot across the way.  Or the day we traversed half way across Bremerton on the single minded mission of selling Girl Scout cookies – without Mom’s knowledge or approval.  And it is only recently that I’ve come to realize that the differences in our ages pretty much allowed me to skate by unscathed the parental repercussions of those adventures.  But most of all I see the Spiritual in my sister.  The gifts of helps, hospitality, mercy, faith, and giving.  Teaching, discernment, knowledge, and wisdom.  Always an encourager and wise counselor.  The tapestry of my life would look much less attractive absent her steadying influence.  And I’m sure my nephew Matthew David would say likewise.

Esther Evelyn - my Mother.  I think these Bible verses best convey Mom’s essence towards raising Carol Lee and me.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

 ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Amy Lynn - my oldest niece.  The mother of Madelynn Esther and two younger sons.  Loving parent, teacher, entrepreneur, and pianist.  There was another season of life - during her high school years and after a family dinner, I would habitually lie napping under the baby-grand piano while she played my favorite pieces.  I think we share the same genetic code that creates in us the appreciation of music.  But what is really cool to me is that with the passing seasons our relationship has evolved from one of uncle-to-niece to one of friend-to-friend.  In many ways, she has filled the void in my heart that was created when Mom died.  She is now my biggest fan.  Even when Crazy Old Uncle Doug is at his craziest.

As always, more could be said.  But sometimes words fail.  Individually, each a blessing.  Dare I say treasure?  Collectively, together………

And oh, in case you were curious, that genetic disposition towards blue and white is alive and well. 

And I wonder…..does a combination of blue and white pigments produce silver?