April 13, 2010 – April 13, 2020 = A lifetime
It’s only been a decade since the car accident, but it seems like a lifetime. Not in a bad way – just in the fullest of ways. It’s been a decade marked by God’s steady faithfulness – like a gentle wind pushing us forward.
10 years ago, I was 39 with children 7, 5, and 3 years old. Well, you can add 10 ;) A lot changes from age 7 – 17, 5 – 15, 3 – 13 (and I won’t think about the fact that I’m almost 50!)
In so many ways, Anne is still the same. There will always be a part of her that remains five. Thankfully, she’s grown in maturity and self-control. She thinks about boys in one moment and Daniel Tiger in the next. She misses her friends but loves her mommy best. There’s a five-year-old and a 15-year-old jumbled up in the best way and what is left is simplicity and joy.
Canon will be a senior in high school next year and both Kate and Anne will be freshmen. It’s not easy having Anne as a sister but they are better people because of her. Anne makes us all a little less selfish and a bit more grateful.
Eric and I are anticipating a time when it’s just the three of us. Canon and Kate will leave to begin their own families and Anne will remain with us. It’s a bittersweet thought, but we are strengthened with the knowledge that caring for Anne is a holy work. She’s our jewel.
Today, my 13-year-old Kate posted this on her brand new Instagram account, “ok so today is the 10 year anniversary of the car accident and honestly i think this year i have finally fully accepted the plan that God has for my life and Anne’s :)”
My greatest desire as a parent is to see my children walk in God’s ways. My constant prayer for them is that they might have the courage to follow wherever God might lead them. Today, God gave me a glimpse that He hears my prayers, that He is always working for our good, and I can always trust him. Bring on the next 10 years!
Crayons In My Water 
Ten years of wrestling with an Angel holding fast for the Blessing;
Ten years of digging thru muck and mire to discover the jewels, the treasures, the gifts hidden within the mundane, the hard, the dreary, the awe-filled
…sometimes it’s really smelly work, this reaching out to discover God’s footprints.
This passion to know His heart and to be at one with it and Him…..is not for the weak or faint of heart.
It takes great courage to face life as it is, while leaving enough room for what it might and can become, yet without strings.
To love, to trust, to “be” takes great courage indeed….and each of you have unearthed it deep within yourselves and in eachother
With prayers of a multitude of people along the way who have chanted, whispered: “keep inching. You and God have got this”….and indeed it’s true. Together with Him you’ve done the impossible.
You’ve loved and laughed and embraced what is, in the face of the darkest of nights…..and each of you shine ever more brightly, forever changed, rearranged yet wholly His.
And so the adventure continues together with the Author of Life itself, Knower of all things, Lover of each of you.
May you always walk in the Light.
Much Love & Warm Support and Prayer-songs steadily flowing
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Beautiful, lu! Just like you! Much love to you!!
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You each continue to be on my heart, and in my thoughts and prayers!
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Thanks for the lovely pictures and the update on the family. After I began to pray for your family my own faced brain tumors in one of my three sons. He is now with the Lord and today would have been his 48th Birthday. He died at age 43. His widow is young and there were no children. God is sovereign and loving and wise. We trust Him! Keep the faith, dear family!
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I’m so sorry! I can’t imagine losing an adult child – the grief must have been so overwhelming. Thank you for encouraging me with your Faith in our good God in the middle of your own suffering!
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