memory
She was fourteen when her daddy died. The second to the eldest, she was plunged into an even harsher world than she had ever imagined. There were five sisters younger than she, the youngest still in diapers. The old tobacco farm her parents had bought just a few years before required attention to plant bed preparation and the constant care that her dad had orchestrated. She missed his warm and loving voice and his melodic violin, played each evening around the old fireplace. Torn from her presence but never from her memory, Grandpa Davis was the subject of warm recollections at my mother’s feet. Never was there heard from her lips a word of despair or anger over the loss of her beloved father. Her gift to us was voluminous expressions of gratitude and love for one that helped shape her life with care and compassion. Through her loss, she learned to keep and give what was most important! “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).
Safely back in the stateroom of our ship, we stood on our balcony to view the coast of Italy in the port of Napoli. A bus tour had taken us through the narrow and crowded streets of this thriving port town. The magnificent palaces of past kingdoms rule, before the unification of Italy, gave evidence of the might of numerous rulers over this port kingdom. We could see Vesuvius in the distance, its peak shrouded in the mist of hovering clouds. Thirty years prior, we had climbed with my sons to the peak of the cauldron of that giant responsible for the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. To the south of Vesuvius lies the town of Sorrento where we enjoyed outdoor entertainment years before. Further along the southern coast we could see the Isle of Capri glistening in the light of the October sun. Memories of climbing the steps to Ana Capri brought back the wonder of years gone by. We were nearing the end of our journey for this time and feeling eternally grateful for yet another opportunity to view these locations so rich in our memory. We have learned that places and objects of beauty and wonder come alive in the presence of a thankful heart. May your life today be enriched in the presence of thankfulness.
We walked slowly down the hill between the waiting guests there to witness the wedding of my son and his soon to be bride. After stepping into the lovingly crafted gazebo we turned to view the stunning young woman about to become his wife as she ascended with the grasp of her father’s arm the path between the standing guests. It seemed just yesterday that this grown man, my child, burst forth from his mother’s womb, to be grasped in the arms of love and welcoming presence. From squirming fetus, to bubbly baby, to fun loving and prankster child, the towering man beside me glowed in adoration for his soon to be mate. As the two were united as one family in the presence of God and those witnessing, this Dad silently gave thanks for the journey that had brought us to that moment. Each moment along the way gave over to the next as memories were etched in our minds and hearts over the years. Gratitude filled that moment as it had so many times before. It has become my friend and I cherish its presence in every moment along the way.