Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...
Lovingly,
Shawnelle
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"Better get going," I say. "Time's tickin'."
Lonny looks at me and smiles. He's taking the boys to spend the night with grandparents. Then he and I are having a date.
"Love you, Mama," Zay says. He hugs me hard and pushes through the porch door with two backpacks and Mine-O-Mine, his special blanket.
Grant will drive over after work, but Gabe and Samuel go with Lonny now. There are hugs and I'll miss yous. There are kisses thrown over shoulders. There are waves. There are see-you-in-the-mornings and don't-forget-to-prays and an Oops! I forgot my toothbrush.
At last they're loaded and I walk outside and stand by the fence as the van moves down our drive. It's vehicle full of precious. I wrap my hands around wrought iron and whisper a prayer for their safety. For their grandparents.
I love these boys like wild.
But I'm excited to see them go.
I trudge through gold leaves (they'll just have to wait) and head back into the house. Lonny will be back in an hour.
There's just enough time to get ready.
Just enough time to fall flat with the flu.
It hits hard and fast and anything romantic is gone before Lonny returns. But when he gets home, he loves me with that caregiver kind of love. He rubs my back. He holds me close. He loves me well when I'm well past lovely.
And the next afternoon he returns for the boys.
They come in a burst of excitement and life and I'm still camped on the couch. They've heard that I've been sick and they come full force.
Grant bends low and wraps his arms around me. Zay rushes in with a cupcake saved from lunch. Samuel asks if I'd like some music. He finds his guitar and the room is filled with song. Gabe comes last. He's snipped the final pink rose from the bush by the walk. It's floating in a drinking glass. He walks slowly. Eyes on the glass. Eyes on me.
I settle into my blankets. The aches aren't so bad because the room has grown so full.
Lonny walks in. He's got an armload. There are backpacks and blankets and pillows and more.The boys are home. Things hadn't gone as planned.
But there's an enchanted evening after all.
From the fullness of His grace we all receive one blessing after another. John 1:16
