It’s still hard for me to believe that Nathan was even here last weekend.
He showed up. We hung out. He left. And it all passed in the blink of an eye
Here are a few more memories from the weekend to add to what I wrote on Monday.
The morning after his arrival, I made Nathan a birthday breakfast. Steve and I both grew up loving poached eggs and we passed that on to Nathan and Sarah. Nathan started making them for Meagan’s family and now they love them, too.
His request for his birthday breakfast? Poached eggs. I added some grilled turkey sausage and fruit and he was good to go. So much fun to get to cook for my son again.
When Nathan was a boy, he used to read Calvin and Hobbes books by the hour. Somehow when he got married and left home, none of the books went along with him. And so before he flew back to Florida Monday, I wrapped up one of the books and officially presented it back to him.
I had completely forgotten that I had written on the flyleaf. (This was from when I was still homeschooling him.) I can see him reading this book to Noah and passing the love for Calvin and Hobbes down to another generation.
It was fun seeing Nathan Shoes make appearances in various places around the house.
One of my favorite moments of his visit was on Monday morning when Sarah and Steve had already left for work. I had laid down on our bed for a Ten minute, Middle-Aged Lady Respite before getting ready for the day when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Before I knew what was happening, a certain son of mine had launched himself through the air and landed himself on the opposite side of the bed. We lounged around and talked for a while and then when I went into the bathroom to do my hair and make up, Nathan stayed on the bed, working on some issues my phone was having and chatting happily all the while.
Another special memory happened Sunday night after his birthday dinner. I was cleaning up some stuff in the kitchen when I heard Nathan in the living room, talking on the phone with someone. I paused in my rattling of dishes and pans long enough to realize he was praying with Meagan and Noah before Meagan tucked Noah into bed for the night.
The next evening while we were all together on the couch watching a DVD, the phone rang and it was Meagan and Noah, calling for their bedtime prayer. Nathan excused himself for a moment and went to the other room to pray with his family.
And Sarah told me that when they were driving home from the airport on Friday night, the very same thing happened. The phone call. The prayer. A little boy and his mama connecting with a daddy and husband who knew the importance of the connection of family and prayer.
I can’t tell you how happy it made this mama’s heart.
Oh, and speaking of the trip home from the airport, Nathan and Sarah stopped at a Burger King for supper which reminded them both of this old photo, one of my all time favorites.
They tried to recreate it, although they couldn’t exactly remember who had worn the crown. Too funny.
Here are a few pictures of our Saturday night walk.
Monday’s departure time came all too soon as we gathered on the driveway for pictures and goodbyes.
Nathan and I were fairly demure for our goodbye picture. However . . .
Nathan and Sarah got a little rowdy.
And Nathan and Steve got even rowdier. What is it about guys and their innate instinct for roughhousing?
After all the hugs and carryings on had been accomplished, we gathered in a circle for a goodbye prayer which produced my favorite picture of the weekend.
Circle of love. Circle of prayer.
And then I climbed into the car with my wonderful, grown up son and we talked non-stop during the 3–hour trip to the airport. What a treasured time that was, replete with moments not soon forgotten.
Nathan, thanks so much for taking the time to come and visit us. And Meagan, thanks for being so thoughtful to think of surprising us with this visit for his birthday. Love you both so much!
P.S. And no, I haven’t forgotten about the video I promised to post. Sarah is going to do a little editing on it, so rather than delay this post till tomorrow when the editing is done, I’ll just post the video tomorrow.
What a great weekend you had! It seems you enjoyed it immensely! Just one thing……..the Birthday Hat (lol)! The long timers (back to Sarah Smith’s Spot) know that hat so very well!
Any Florida trips on the horizon? I’m sure you Skype w/ the Grands but IRL snuggles can’t be beat!
How are you feeling, Becky? I know you mentioned their still watching your pesky, uncooperative platelets……has a transfusion been discussed??
Hugs, Jodi
Jodi,
We actually did have Nathan wear the hat when we sang but I had left my phone out in the car and grabbed someone else’s phone to record the singing. Have to check and see which family member’s phone I grabbed!
We won’t be going to FL anytime soon but are hoping Nathan and the family can come for Christmas.
Platelets are still low but holding steady so as long as they don’t dip any further, doctor is willing to just keep an eye on them.
So happy you got to share such a special family time. Your family is lovely.
Can I ask you to pray Becky?. I have a grandma who will be 100 in November who is like a mom to me. I really wish my growing up immediate family could have had the love you describe in your posts, but at the same time I did know that kind of love because of my relationship with my grandma. (And I’m so glad I get to build a loving family with my husband and daughter). She has severe dementia and is very fragile now and I just cherish this bonus time with her. But she was seriously burned last night in her nursing home by having hot coffee spilled on her (they didn’t realize she was burned until morning and no care worker is admitting to doing it). After an incredibly stressful day, the nursing home just called an ambulance a little bit ago. I’m not well and haven’t been well enough to drive all week, but I’m going to go drive in the dark night to the hospital now to see her. I’ve been crying all day and at this point I don’t even have the words to pray myself but could you please pray for her?
Jenna,
Your grandma is such a sweetheart; I’ve been following your story on FB and was amazed at the way you described her spunky, cheery spirit, even under great duress and in great pain. It’s obvious you get your spunk from her if you are willing to drive a distance to see her when you’re not feeling well yourself.
I will continue to follow FB to see how things go and I have prayed for your family this morning. Hugs to all and may you feel God’s grace and peace in a special way today.
Becky thank you so much for your prayers and kind words. It means a lot! My grandma is healing well, even though it will be a road still to healing. I can see you must be such a compassionate caring pastors wife as you minister to your congregation in times of need. You are truly gifted with compassion. Thanks again. Hugs!!
Thankfully our daughter and her 4 “kids” live about 6 miles from us, but our son and his family live in Oregon. We try and see them about once a year. How wonderful for Meagan to do that for her hubby and then for him to pray for them while he was away – priceless!
Sharyn,
Six miles is good. Oregon? Not so good. 🙂 At least you get to see them once a year. It’s so hard, isn’t it, to have those long periods in between.
I find with my kids scattered around the country, as well as all of our extended family, the moments my husband and I get with our kids, no matter how brief, are almost sacred. Meagan clearly realizes that, as well as Sarah, and it was wonderful they got a plan into action to offer some brief, wonderful time together for the original Smithellanieous Four.
Ann,
Sacred is right, It is such a blessed privilege to be able to carve out a few hours and a few days here and there with those we love.
And I liked your name of the Original Smithellaneous Four. 🙂
Beautiful post and it brought tears to my eyes too and made me miss my son, who lives 1100 miles away, even more! So glad you could all spend time together.
Dale,
I can truly say I understand how you feel. We have all those early years with our children and then in a blink they (the children AND the years) are gone and the people we love get scattered. It just makes our time together all the more wonderful, doesn’t it?
So much love and joy. What a wonderful event–prayer with the family even though miles away. Pictures are great as always. Love the Smiths!!!
Ann,
We love you and Jim, too!
A wonderful post Becky. So glad you all had a wonderful weekend. This is why we take so many pictures! Because in a moment it is over, and the pictures remind us that it actually happened and we get to relive it over and over. Nathan looks great, family life suits him well.
Lesley,
I know. Where would we be without our precious photos? And with your grand baby due to be born soon, that camera of yours will get an extra, EXTRA workout. Enjoy!
a couple of tears here reading about Nathan’s phone prayers…
loved Sarah’s eyes in the first BK photo!
i just love reading about the love and closeness that your family shares…..
Mrs. Pam,
I’ve always loved Sarah’s eyes in that photo; so merry and bright and full of the adventure of being with the brother she adores.
one of your very best posts- thank you for sharing
Becky,
I’m just thankful I had the chance to be with Nathan; to blog about it was just the icing on the cake.So glad you enjoyed reading about it.
Oh what a sweet, sweet story!! And love the B&W family picture! One worth getting a larger size and framing!!
Donna,
There’s something about a black and white picture that seems more evocative,isn’t there? I loved that shot, too.
I just love your tight family and all of the love that you have for each other. Seeing you all together makes me emotional and teary. Happy tears of course. Isn’t it great to get them home? Mine only live 1.5 hours away so it’s fairly easy to see them all on a regular basis. I don’t know what I would do if they lived far enough away to need to take a plane to get home. Ugh. You’re a stronger woman than me, Becky. 😉
LeeAnne,
Well, just when I start to feel sorry for myself that I have family so far away I think of some of my friends who have children and grand children in China and Africa and then I’m grateful all over again! 🙂 I’m glad to hear your family is relatively close by; what a blessing that is to you!