Magic Moments



Last night, as I sat here at my computer, I smiled as I remembered the day behind me. We had taken Kasey to the North Pole to see Santa. So many wonderful things to see, stores to visit, and of course, the big man himself. It was a wonderful day - from beginning to end. Kasey was a little shy about going into Santa Claus' house though...something about being at the North Pole and all really seemed to make it seem different for him. But he had his list, and when the line finally grew small and it was our turn to see Santa, Kasey looked up at us as though he wasn't sure about all of this. His mother's son for sure, since Laurie was never crazy about visiting Santa either. As you can see, he did just fine. The Santa was very attentive...read Kasey's list and was so pleasant. We've had some grouchy mall Santas in our history so this was a treat.
When we were nearly ready to leave the park, Kasey saw a couple of rides he wanted to go on so Ron took him over to get started while I finished up some shopping. When I got to where the guys were, Ron was just about ready to call it a day. He has this sinus infection that he finally went to the VA clinic for the other day and is finally on antibiotics. The weather was perfect for the North Pole....the trees had a coating of snow/ice on them that set the tone for the day.
The last ride Kasey went on needed a grandma too - grandpa didn't think he was ready for one of those spin and you know what rides. So the second picture tells that story...except I should have realized that it wasn't an ideal ride for someone with tinnitus and vertigo and inner ear problems. Nope...but it was sooo much fun to hold Kasey and spin around with him that who could blame a grandma for wanting to?
Just as I slept the computer for the night, I looked over and saw Laurie's Army boots sitting on the floor behind the couch. I moved them over to the Christmas tree and took the last picture I've included in this post.
It's a little bit fuzzy, but then, so is the world of an American soldier. The boots are always standing at the ready, no matter what soil they walk on. It's a difficult life, but a good life just the same. It's a blessed life for Laurie and for us as her mom and dad...people sometimes wander through life wondering where their niche is. Laurie has found hers - found it many years ago.

As she completes her program, and prepares to become an officer, I think back on the miles beneath the boots...to where they have taken her, and to where they are yet to go. Only God knows His plans for her...and we wait (not always patiently) for those plans to unfold. It's not always easy to see her go through the separations from Stephen during his deployment, or to see the circles under her eyes from so much studying and too little sleep, and yes, probably a little bit of worry about exams, and presentations. But she is on the home stretch now, with school done, her rotations complete, and graduation just ahead. These are all gifts to be treasured, and why I put those boots she wears under the Christmas tree to take the picture.
For now, those magic moments of yesterday with Kasey, and the anticipation of every day to come will be enough to make this mom and grandma smile and be thankful.
Merry Christmas my friends - may you have many wonderful moments - the kind which bring thankful prayers to the One who gives them to us.