Sunday Snapshots: Gifts

So many times when the children or grandchildren give Ron a gift for his birthday or for Christmas or for Father's Day, he says this: "You don't have to give me anything. The best gift I could have is you."

He is right, you know. 

And from day's beginning to day's end, Mother's Day was filled with wonderful gifts. 

The gift of time and self-sacrifice. 

Because of a recipe fail on Saturday night, Ron made a Sunday morning run to fetch more ingredients. (It is typical of him to do such things for me.) He returned, not only with my two boxes of strawberry gelatin, but with a dozen red roses. 

The gift of voices across the miles.

Any mother/grandmother who has loved ones far away knows just what a gift it is to hear those voices. Melts. your. heart. 

The gift of my mom. 

As more and more of my friends have lost one or both parents, I am aware of how blessed I am to have mine. My mom was a young first-time mother, so she's younger than many of the moms of my age mates, but none of us is guaranteed another day and time is fleeting at best and it is wise to treasure our time. 

Because sickness is coming and going and coming again, Mom did not come into our quarantined house yesterday, but she came up and brought food and took home food and brought gifts and took home gifts, and while she was here, we had some quick photo shoots. Mom was even in the mood to pose yesterday and Kati snapped some fun shots which I love! 

Mom and I dressed alike...totally unplanned, but we do it often.

The gift of my children.

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a mother. After the joy of the Lord, and the joy of being Ron's wife, the joy of my life is my children. I delight in being their mother. 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Of course, Ryan was one of the voices on the telephone, but I was with all of my girls yesterday. 

Seated: Kati, Bekah, and Kristin

From Kati

I must add here that I consider my son-in-law and my daughter-in-law also to be priceless gifts,  even though they came to me a little later. 

The gift of grandchildren.
Five nearby, three faraway...all loved with all my heart.

Kristin with her five

I could name more, but I'll end the enumeration of my gifts with this thoughtful gift from Kristin and her family. She got right into my brain, right into my heart, didn't she? 

She printed and framed the word art that I had created for my CeLeBRaTe!! series, and now I will display it in a prominent place in our home. 

I have been given much. By His grace...