I have so many more *serious* posts in my mind. But, I always seem to find excuses to not write. Does anybody read them? Do I make sense? Am I speaking Truth? I'm tired. Is this a repeat of what I already posted on Facebook? Blah, Blah, Blah...So, I guess I will write tonight instead of making excuses. And, whoever reads, reads. Period.
And, as a forewarning -- my topic tonight involves both Kate & one of my grandmothers. I have very few pics of my grandmother. SO, I will be intermittently posting random (and recent) pics of Kate!
3 years ago last night (10/28/2011), I figured out I was pregnant with Kate. When I saw the "positive" sign on the pregnancy test, honestly, I didn't jump for joy. Instead, I laughed -- in a fairly hysterical), manner.
(This pic is from the other day when Kate became either stubborn and/or camera shy. In her bag is her Halloween costume. She is going to be "Strawberry Shortcake". Who knows if she'll wear the costume without tears??? I'm guessing there will be some serious tears).
At the time, Marc was not home. He was serving at our church's production of Judgement House that evening. When he got home, I asked him if he wanted to hear something funny. When he said, "Sure," I told him I was pregnant. Let's just say that Marc's response of excitement was more appropriate than my laughter.
Why was I laughing? Well, we'd been wanting a 2nd child for quite awhile, and it simply wasn't happening as planned. I honestly had grown very content with having only one child. Looking back, I think God wanted me to learn to be content in that situation before creating Kate!
So, I ultimately laughed because God's plans clearly superseded mine -- which is a very good thing!
(This next pic is of Luke and Kate during our 2nd visit to the pumpkin patch of the season)!
The surprise pregnancy with Kate goes right along with her personality -- always surprising us -- whether it be with behavior, emotion, or actions.
One reason I think the timing of the pregnancy with Kate is significant is because the day after that positive pregnancy test, we went to the funeral for the last of my grandparents' passing. I was 35 years old at the time, and I distinctly remember feeling grateful I lived to 35 with at least one grandparent still living. At the same time, since then, I have had no grandparents alive. Marc's grandparents passed away years ago...so, it really was significant to have no more grandparents living. So, I think it's a wee bit awesome that God added a family member just as another one passed away.
(Last week, Kate & I visited Luke's kindergarten classroom for their class fall party...of course, Kate had to have the snacks as well)!
At my grandmother's funeral, I did stand up & share. I won't subject you all to the whole "speech," but I will give a brief snippet...
"My grandma & grandpa lived on a farm, and I truly have great memories from that farm. Grandma talked about a lot of different things, but I don't ever remember her talking about anything church-related or spiritual". (My grandparents left their church a long time ago -- never having returned)...I never knew quite what was in her heart. In other words, I never knew (and still don't know for sure) where she is spending eternity. Yes, I ultimately pray it's heaven so I will see her again.
(Prior to this week, we've had some WARM fall weather. Kate spent some nice days in shorts and with her shoes OFF at our many park visits).
Now, my grandmother spent the last several years of her life in a retirement full-healthcare facility. Dementia set in heavily at the end of her earthly life. Honestly, I didn't visit her nearly as much as I should have (don't worry -- I'm not walking around with full guilt). At her funeral, after I spoke, a woman whom I did not know stood up & talked. I will forever be grateful she did.
The woman was a CNA at the retirement facility my grandma lived. She talked about how she didn't know my grandma pre-dementia; only knew her AFTER dementia set in.
She went on to talk about how at the end of her life, she would often start singing. Singing is something I had NEVER heard her do -- EVER! So, as the woman was talking, I was most certainly intrigued.
(Speaking of Kate and her emotional tears -- on this day, Kate said she wanted her apron on. Seriously, two seconds later, she wanted it off -- which is ANNOYING! Marc & I are determined to teach our children to mean what they say. So, appropriate for a 2 year-old, I made her keep her apron on for 1 minute. I'm sure the minute felt like a lifetime to her, but hopefully, we're instilling at least something in her).
The woman at the funeral continued that the songs my grandma was singing at the end of her earthly life were songs like, "Jesus Loves Me," "Jesus Loves the Little Children," and other assorted children's Bible songs. I was shocked and actually very pleased!!!!
"They" (as in the "experts") always talk about patients with dementia talking about things from their childhood. "They" also talk of dementia patients speaking of what's really in their hearts -- in other words, if their hearts are soft, sweet words come out. If their hearts are hard, angry and mean words come out.
It was so sweet for me to hear about the sweet songs that came out of my grandmother's mouth at the end of her earthly life. I do wonder now more about her heart.
I pray that I, as well as my husband and kids, plant God's Word in our hearts. And, if someday, we have dementia (I hope not), sweet, God-affirming words come out of our mouths.
My favorite verse for this post is...
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you". Psalm 119:11
(I'll end on a non-crying picture of Kate because she truly isn't crying all of the time. I took this pic several weeks ago at dusk at a corn maze. It's my new favorite pic of Kate. She really is a delight to have in our family, and I'm so thankful, despite the laughter, the the positive pregnancy test 3 years ago yesterday)!
