PUNXSUTAWNEY, WILL, AND SATISFACTION

 Punxsutawney Phil says six more weeks.  Well, that's funny because we really haven't had winter here yet.

I couldn't help but think when I put out the January snow decorations... how ridiculous they looked in 55 degree weather.  I'm conflicted.  Can't wait to put out Christmas decorations, and then can't wait to jerk 'em down.  Then that makes the house drab, so out come the white candles and glittery snow stuff.  That white is calming after all the Christmas festivities.

Son-in-law Matt keeps an eye on the Farmer's Almanac for his principal duties.  He reports that contrary to Punxsutawney's assessment, the almanac says this winter will be mild.  It also says next winter will be brutal.  How DO those guys get it right from so far away?

Mike and I snuck off to Florida for a short visit to bake our bronchitis lungs in the sun.  It was nice and warm there in the low 70's, but the sun was only out briefly.  Still we sat hopefully on the beach and listened to the waves crash.  It was fun to sleep with windows up.  And there was lavender lantana blooming.  And seafood.

Now we are back in town for the watch party.  It's the WillWatch, because he's scheduled to come in the next two weeks!   Last Friday was Beth's last day to teach, and now she gets on the sewing machine in earnest.    Last month in the ultrasound room, it was magic to look inside and watch Will wriggle.  Soon Nate will be wriggling with him.  Happy landings, little loved baby boy.

As I think back on January, my favorite thing was getting to go to several of Beth's showers.  Two were for assorted friends and two were school showers (Holcomb/Ramay).  People have been kind to be excited with the Saferites.  And generous!  Over and over women came up to me to express how much Beth meant to them.  At the friend's shower, there were several kids that Beth had tutored and they wanted to come see "Miss Beth".  

When our kids establish their lives (their friendships and credibility and lifework) there is something deeply satisfying.  At some point I came to realize/trust that my mistakes made in raising our two can be repaired.  The One who loved them first can fill their holes like putty; He stands at the ready for them to ask. 

A very wise man gave Mike and I an analogy a long time ago that has stuck with me.  He said that parents have all these connector wires that run from us to our kids.  We go from being responsible for everything in their lives as babies...to doing less and less for them as they make their own choices.  And part of our job is to take each wire and pull it out of our side (pain implied here) and plug them into God.  

After all, He is the TruthDispenser and Everpresent Counselor.  And He will take them home.