I've been scarce around here. I know. Here's the story.
Travel. Company. Travel. Company. More travel coming. More company coming.
First there was our trip to Virginia for Thanksgiving which was very, very special. Then, my dear friend Teresa came with children, Rose and Peter and spent a night and a morning with us. That was way too short. Then a trip to Atlanta with Joel for a soccer tournament and an overnight on the way back with my parents. That was a fun time. Then a quick visit from the Elliott kids on their way to Florida. Next, it's back to Greenville to bring Andrew home and see my folks, then the Elliott kids, again on their way back north. Then....well, you get the picture.
But it's good. It's all good, and it hasn't felt as hectic as it perhaps sounds.
In between, I've baked bread, knitted, taught biology, read a little, and walked a lot. Oh, yes, a lot of walking. I want to post on what I've learned about walking and training, but that will be for another day.
We have put up a lovely, fragrant tree. No lights or decorations, yet. Just the tree. I kind of like it that way. Simple. Oh, it will get lights and ornaments...but for tonight, the fragrant, bare tree is enough.
I've watched as the lights go up on houses in the neighborhood, as garlands, wreaths, and bows adorn doors and mailboxes. I like some of the sparkle and color but mostly crave simple loveliness, natural adorning, warm candlelight.
Tonight, I'm thinking about little Clara. What a sweet joy it was to hold her while we were with Erin and Luke over Thanksgiving; to look into her deep, deep blue eyes and to see those eyes light up with a smile that spread to the corners of her little mouth; to stand and sway and shhhh her as she fretted and then to feel her body relax and become heavy with sleep; to hear her soft, even breaths and then catch a flicker of a smile in her sleep; to look in awe at her perfect little fingers, feel her new, soft, unworn by life skin, kiss her round cheeks and nuzzle the folds of her double chin. It is a wonder to be with a new baby.
As I've thought about Clara since being with her, I've thought about Mary, too. Mary, the mother we think about more at this time of year. She had a new baby with skin so smooth and as yet, uncalloused, unscarred palms. She saw sleep smiles spread over a peaceful face and felt a tiny body, heavy with sleep relax in her arms. Did she shhhhh and sway to calm a fretful infant Jesus? Did she look into deep eyes and delight to see them light up with recognition when a familiar voice called his name? Did she wonder how this child, her child, could be the Son of God? Was she tempted to doubt, as she held the reality of flesh and blood baby, that this child, her child, was who the angel said he would be...Emmanuel, God with us?
I've thought about that and marveled at the faith required to be the mother of the baby Christ. It is a wonder really.
In the midst of travel and company, tree, lights, baking, and walks, I am quietly amazed.
