Let’s start off with some adorable cuteness–the four grands decorating for Christmas in their new house.
What I truly love about this photo is the two baggy-bottomed miniature men in the foreground. Just try to look at them and not smile.
Our meeting with Gage’s parents got delayed once again due to some car trouble. However, Sarah will get to meet them this Saturday when she goes to their house in Fayetteville; she is really looking forward to that.
In the meantime, Gage has gotten to spend four days with us. This is what the front of our house looks like when he is here. (My graphic designer brain loves the color balance of two silver cars and two red cars.)
Gage is a big fan of board games and he and Sarah have played quite a few together. He brought one of his games called Code Names which I was incredibly bad at. But despite my lack of creative, imaginative clues, I still thought it was a cool game. We followed that by playing my all-time favorite, Taboo.
So much fun to have a non-technology based evening
Saturday night, Sarah and Gage went to church to film our announcement clip together. I grabbed a few pictures of them getting ready to head out the door.
Here are a few screenshots from the video. You can tell they have a lot of fun together.
When they got back home, Gage laid his stuff on the counter while we ate. He’s such an artistic guy that even his collection of stuff makes for a great photo.
And an extra sweet one at the end.
I went to Duke last week for my annual rheumatology appointment. (I found out my BP was 104/45; I am feeling mellow just thinking about that number.)
The doctor is still saying that whatever version of arthritis I have is a bit of a puzzle to him, with some symptoms matching one kind and other symptoms matching another kind.
The thing he DOES know for sure though is there is no treatment and no medication that will make any difference.
Sometimes, if I think about the whole thing too much, I start to feel a little panicky at the thought of where this road may take me–maybe sooner, maybe later. As I continue to see the loss of function and range of motion, I just have to get a grip on my fears and give thanks for all that I am still able to do. It’s a big temptation to allow fear of the future (concerning both my hands and my lungs) to rob me of the gift of right now.
But right now I can sing, play piano, take pictures, write a blog post, cut up an onion, teach Sarah a recipe, and hold hands with Steve.
Will I do all of that in the future? Maybe. Maybe not.
But I have today. And I am grateful.
As Steve and Sarah gave Summer a bath the other night, I couldn’t help but notice the myriad faces Summer displayed, all of them silently proclaiming the sentiment, “This is a Great Big Yuck.”
And I thought about how we can all relate to Summer’s face as we enter the last month of 2020. It’s been a Great Big Yuck.
Although Summer wasn’t thrilled, Sarah was very entertained when Steve created horns out of wet dog hair.
This face says it all.
But then? At the end of the bath?
There was a warm towel. Comforting arms.
There’s an old gospel hymn that says,
“Leaning, leaning, safe, and secure from all alarms.
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.”
If Summer could sing, she just might have been singing that song.
The trauma of that old bad bath was over. The water was drained. Her royal personage had been scooped up from the undignified kitchen sink. She was secure with Sarah, safe in sister-lasting arms.
I hope you’ll pull that picture out of your mental photo album from time to time and be encouraged that “yuck times” don’t last forever.
Just ask Summer.
What about you?
What board games does your family love? Why? Are there any games you don’t like at all?
Are you like the Florida Smiths and already have your tree up? Or are you like the North Carolinian Smiths and still have Thanksgiving decor on the porch?
Is there a physical condition you have that makes you worry about the future? I invite you to share with this community of friends. So many of us can relate.
Becky,
The Grands are so cute decorating their tree. Such fun to see the holiday through a child’s eyes. Sarah and Gage make such a cute couple. They really seem to enjoy being together. Hope Sarah enjoys her visit with his family. Summer looks so happy in Sarah’s arms after her bath. Loving arms indeed. Sorry to hear that their is no treatment or medicine for your arthritis. But, you are in my prayers. And , I know you F.R.O. G. (Fully rely on God). Don’t play too many board games except at family get together. Now that my great niece and nephews are older (only the youngest is still in high school), Trivial Pursuit and TriBond seem to be favorites. As kids, my brother and I played a lot of board games, Parcheesi, Checkers, Monopoly and Life seem to be ones I remember most. My Dad also taught us (and we played) a lot of card games. Cribbage was a favorite. The love of cribbage was passed down to my nephews. And every time they and grandpap got together, the cribbage board came out. Even when “Pap” was in his 90’s, ill and in a nursing home, my nephew would visit him regularly and play cribbage with him.❤️
Hugs, stay safe and healthy and God bless,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
Parcheesi and Cribbage are two games I have heard so much about but have never played. Might be time to give them both a whirl.
I love that your Pap still played even into his 90’s. I can just picture the joy of the simple pleasure with family gathered around. Makes me smile.
Sometimes in MN, you have to put lights up before Thanksgiving, but not turn them on until the day after. You never know what the weather will be like and if there is a nice day before Thanksgiving, you jump at the chance to put the lights up. We have an angel that my husband put up the week before Thanksgiving because he found a perfect day to do it.
Sharyn,
I guess that is something that never even occurs to us Southerners but it is truly a great idea. Work while it’s warm-ish!
We don’t play board games much any more. We don’t usually sit still long enough to do that. I used to love playing Cribbage with my mom years ago and Sorry! and Yahtzee were family favorites when the kids were young.
Sarah and Gage are so cute together! I’m sure Sarah will enjoy her visit to Fayetteville. Travel safe, sweet girl!
We put up our outdoor decor and lights before Thanksgiving since the weather was perfect and we couldn’t go anywhere anyway. We didn’t turn them on until after the holiday though.
Then we got our Christmas tree and indoor decorations up right after Thanksgiving which is when we usually do it. There was plenty of time for it since we had no holiday visitors. The house is decked out now in very high hopes of having the kids and grand kids home for Christmas. Fingers crossed!!!
I don’t have any health issues that worry me for the future. I have a few aches but they are nothing worrisome. Just the result of aging (oh how I HATE to sat that!!) and perhaps my activity level (running, etc.). My heart skipped a beat when I read of the lack of treatment for your arthritis. I pray that you have many, MANY more years of doing the things that you love.
Lee Anne,
That’s a good idea to get the lights put up early but not to turn them on till after Thanksgiving. I am hoping right along with you that your kids and grandkids will be home for Christmas to enjoy the lights with you.
You are truly blessed to not have any significant health issues; so few people can say that.
Sending you happy wishes for a happy December.
I just love the pictures of Gage and Sarah. They look so happy with each other! I’m very happy for them.
I’m sorry to hear about your nervous-ness with your diagnosis. I can only imagine how fearful that must be. I will pray for peace.
I agree with you, 2020 has been a great big YUCK! Poor Summer! She looks so pathetic. But, I bet she feels better!
I am like the FL Smiths. We put our tree up the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Not reason- I was just in the mood.
Wishing you a blessed week!!
Krista,
How fun to have your tree up so early and get to enjoy it so long. Ours is up too–up in the attic! 🙂 Maybe in the next week, we’ll git ‘er done.
Yes, Sarah and Gage are definitely enjoying each other and their relationship. We’re happy for them. And thank you so much for your prayers for peace; always needed.
Have a wonderful Christmas season.
Long time reader but never comment, figured I finally would!
We love Code Names, although our favorite is a game ironically called Pandemic—though we haven’t played since the pandemic started, too close to home! It’s a cooperative game and has a steep learning curve, but my husband and I enjoy playing it together.
We have our own health issue going on and your reminder of nothing lasting forever was important. My husband was diagnosed with a very rare disease similar to Guillain Barre called CIDP in March. It is truly awful, as it’s made all his muscles very very weak, causing him to be in a wheelchair and have very limited arm/hand strength too. He needs a lot of help from others. However, we also welcomed our first child almost four months ago. To say the last few months have been overwhelming is an enormous understatement, and I often feel envious of people dealing with “just” a pandemic. Though his condition is usually temporary and many people recover fully, he has an extremely rare and aggressive form of the disease and it’s so hard not to worry about what the future will look like and how much he will be able to help with our daughter eventually. It’s very difficult to have this period in my life look so drastically different from what I imagined when I was pregnant a year ago. But thank you for the reminder that these yuck times don’t last forever, and things will improve in one way or the other!
Stacy,
A pandemic. A pregnancy. A new daughter. Joy. A new disease. Physical and emotional fatigue. Daily stress. An unknown future.
I have to admit that I have sat in front of my computer for ten minutes and typed absolutely nothing at all beyond that first line. My brain can’t fathom what you shared and my fingers, which usually type replies rather easily, can’t seem to find anything to say.
What a powerful line when you wrote that you are envious of people who are dealing with “just” a pandemic. I would feel that same way in your shoes; what you are facing has truly changed your perspective in every way.
My prayer is that that sweet daughter of yours will continue to bring buckets of smiles to you and your husband to offset the grief that I know you have both been carrying. So many things in life don’t turn out the way we expect and you have certainly experienced that. But through your writing and the telling of your story, you have challenged and inspired all of us to embrace the joys in front of us and, in them, find strength for what the future holds.
Thanks so much for commenting; please keep us in touch with how things go.
Prayers and hugs . . .
My family doesn’t really play any board games any more. My mom and I used to play Battleship (not really a board game) years ago. Sometimes when I’m at my aunt’s, she, my cousin and I will play Uno or Phase Ten. Three single ladies from church and i had been getting together about once a month to play different card games. One involved a board but I don’t remember the name. We haven’t done that since late September due to the increase in COVID.
My tree is up as of Friday. All presents are wrapped but not under tree yet. I do think I will order my mom a new toaster. Hers has seen better days. So I will have that to wrap when I get it. I have not started Christmas cards yet. That will be next week’s project as I’m going down to my parents tomorrow morning.
I am pretty fortunate in that I don’t have any physical ailment that makes me worry. I had a little scare with my liver back in the early part of the year but with a better diet and more exercise, I have been able to bring the liver function tests back to normal range.
Love that old hymn! While I like the old hymns, I also like the more contemporary worship songs. So many people like one and not the other.
Phyllis,
I remember Battleship! I played it all the time as a kid. Thanks for reminding me of those fun times.
I love that you get together with other ladies to just hang out and relax; so important to keep those special relationships going.
You have your presents bought AND wrapped! Oh my. I haven’t bought even one thing.
I’m glad to hear that you have enjoyed good physical health and when you did have your liver problem, you were able to do what was necessary to get things functioning well again.
I’m like you; I love music and I love old music. Each has something good to offer.
Becky, your photographs are little works of Art. Even making beauty and symmetry out of four cars parked in a drive.
Sarah and Gage look beautiful together, and so happy.
Our favourite board game is Ticket to Ride. We play the USA version, as four times with one or other of my two daughters, we have been lucky enough to cross your beautiful America by train. Every place name is a thrill or a memory to me; Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Denver, Salt Lake City, let alone the names of the trains themselves – California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief. Ticket to Ride is a super fun game and I do recommend it it if you have never played.
Wishing you love and better health from across the ocean, from Teresa and Juliet in England
Teresa,
Definitely on my Bucket List to take a long train ride across a beautiful country. I can only imagine how much you must enjoy Ticket to Ride since you are playing with the actual places in mind, instead of just hearing or reading about them.
And it was so fun to read through all the names you listed of both cities and trains. Made me want to hop up off my chair and buy a train ticket.
Thanks for a little bit of armchair travel on this nippy North Carolina afternoon.
Good to hear from you!
When my 4 grown kids are around, Taboo is our game of choice! We’ve also played CodeNames, the version you have (orange box) as a family. A few years ago, someone at our local game store recommended CodeNames Duet (green box), for 2 players. My husband and I enjoy games, so CodeNames Duet is good for a couple. Plus, it is more of a cooperative game. It really works on our communication skills, showing strengths and weaknesses!
Becky, as I read your post this morning, I had dishes in my sink from last night’s late dinner. Why were there dishes in my sink that would horrify my mother if she were alive, and in my house to see such disarray (although to my credit, they were nicely stacked, and rinsed)? I’m learning to take advantage of The Gift Of Right Now. My husband suggested a neighborhood walk last evening, following dinner, to observe the holiday lights. Then, we got back and immediately caught up on a show we’ve been bingeing. This past weekend brought the sad news that an older aunt had a serious injury from a fall. She had been isolating herself, waiting for the time to come when she could hug her kids and grandkids, without fear of catching Covid. While I understand her hesitancy, I’m saddened at the lost moments she could have had, being close to family, and loved ones.
Prayers that your health issues slow. I am so grateful for your writing and photos that help me focus on the important issues, like leaning into arms, both near and everlasting.
Ann,
Your last line was truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing that thought.
Gage actually gave Sarah CodeNames Duet and she and I played it together before this weekend’s visit when we played the regular game with the four of us. I think if I played it a few more times I get more of the knack of it–it’s certainly an interesting premise.
So glad to hear that you and your husband seized the moment and savored the day. Those neatly stacked dishes will definitely be waiting for you whenever you get around to doing them. But as you said, we never know how long we have to spend with our family members; they may not always be there.
Sorry to hear about your aunt and her injury and even more sorry about the moments COVID has taken from her. It is such a hard balance between trying to keep oneself safe while at the same time, not missing out on too many of life’s joys.
Thanks for letting me know my writing and photos have made a difference in your life.
Thank you for a sweet post to brighten my day. Gage and Sarah are so cute. I love to see their faces as they spend time together. You are in my prayers, Becky. God bless.
Jenny,
Sweet. Cute. Love. Prayers. Bless.
All the words in your comment that made my heart happy. 🙂
Sorry is our family’s favorite board game – a little strategy involved, but overall, just fun and the luck of the dice. We also enjoy working jigsaw puzzles. Sarah and Gage are so cute together in your photos. This is the first time in years that I’ve gotten my tree up and decorated this early. I think moving two weeks before Thanksgiving contributed as much – if not more than – Covid19 to this happening. Continued prayers for your health. I hope all the Smiths have a wonderful week!
Sue Ellen,
Congrats on getting your tree up. So much fun to get everything in place and enjoy how it all looks.
I haven’t played Sorry in years but remember enjoying it. There are SO many wonderful games to choose from. And I’ve been thinking recently that a puzzle would be fun to work on, too.
Moving two weeks before Thanksgiving must have been quite the challenge. Blessings on you in your new home–enjoy!
That picture of the kids and the tree – priceless. Such intense thought was going into getting it started. Great pictures of Gage (love that name) and Sarah. We too, love board games, Mexican Dominoes, seems to be a favorite, and Phase 10. Although it seems everyone has their own rules, so when they come to our house, they play by the rules we know. Well, I have tacycardia – it is when the heart starts to be faster for no reason. I do take 2 pills when I wake up in the morning and have supplements in case it happens during the day, but so far I have had no problems for about 4 years. I started taking Krill oil (not fish oil) about 4 years ago and believe that has made in a difference. Although i have to remember not to do certain things to make it start racing. My husband has diabetes and last year had melanoma on his left ear. It was contained so I guess he is a Cancer survivor. We continue to pray for you each day – praying that your lung(s) will be healed so you can continue to sing and do the things you love to do. More Summer – well, that too did pass – all the water and soap!.
Sharyn,
I think I played Mexican Dominoes once and got too confused Although everyone else playing seemed to have a great time so I should try it again. And I think it’s a great policy to say Your House, Your Rules!:-)
It must be unnerving to have a condition where your heart suddenly starts to race for no reason. I’m glad it seems to be under control with the medications and supplements and that your husband is coping well with this diabetes. Health challenges are not easy things to navigate.
Thanks for your prayers and all the comments you have left through the years!
Oh, I loved all of the pics! As an adult I’m not much of a board game player unless backgammon fits the criteria! When young I love The Game of Life and I see they still make it! I do detest Monopoly unless there is a time limit set. I do love card games, though. Yes, we rushed to get the tree up this past weekend as my grandson was leaving to visit his mother, other relatives in Maine until sometime between 23rd and 26th. Not happy with this and it is out of the usual, so struggling a bit.
Guerrina,
I agree. Monopoly can go on endlessly; a time limit is definitely a great idea.
I’m sorry to hear about the change in schedule for you and your grandson this Christmas. It’s disconcerting to imagine and plan how a season is going to look and then have those plans get rearranged. I’m glad you got your tree up early and were able to snatch some special moments with that special boy before he had to leave.
Hugs.
So many great, smile-inducing pictures from the Grands, to the Sweethearts to the Doggie Bath. And yes, Summer’s expressions certainly do put a face to this year!
I’m so sad about the arthritis and pulmonary issues you deal with so bravely. It’s all such a mystery. You are wise to try not to think about it too much. I can get negative and gloomy very quickly if I let my thoughts go in certain tracks. So off to the more cheery tracks for the both of us. 🙂
Love you guys a bunch–you’re the best!
Love, Deb
Deb,
The Grands to the Sweethearts to the Doggie Bath. Love the summation!
Yes, I am trying my best to stay on the cheery track. Much more enjoyable–despite the occasional detours onto the gloomy track. Thanks for your always compassionate words.
Love to all the Mantiks!
Code Names is one of our family’s favorite games!
Lynne,
Hmmm. It’s interesting several of my readers have known about that game; I didn’t know it was that well known. You all are encouraging me to keep trying it.