(Note: The “Path Into God’s Heart series will continue on Monday).
I am feeling very nostalgic today. Josh is in New York City with the high school band and Julia is staying with her Aunt Leslie and Uncle Tony in another part of the state, celebrating the end of her school year.
It is very quiet and I have found my mind wandering back to one of the happiest times of my life: summer 2007.
After five years in south Florida, we were thrilled to move back to our beloved New Hampshire.
We actually pulled out of town on the evening of July 4th, our van packed to the hilt, Buddy tucked safely in his carrier. I will never forget driving down the highway, seeing fireworks light up the night sky as we sped north. It was as if the world around us was celebrating our happy turn of events.
Thirty-three hours later, we arrived at our new home at 3:00 in the morning. The kids hadn’t seen the house yet and they literally ran all through it, calling out to each other in excitement and staking their claims to which room would be theirs. Buddy was right on their heels, wagging his tail and sniffing up a storm, thrilled to be out of his crate.
Afterward, we all gathered out on the back deck, taking in the beauty of the brilliant stars shining in the inky black sky. We never really saw true darkness in south Florida, due to the fact that it is so densely populated and lit up. The blackness–and the stillness– around us right then was startling.
Soon, the sky began to lighten. By this time, it was nearly 4:30. Air mattresses were blown up (our furniture wouldn’t arrive until one week later) and it was time to catch some much-needed sleep. I drifted off that night feeling the fresh mountain air through the screen door in our room, filled with joy at being back “home” in New England.
The above photo was taken about one week later. My mom had flown up from PA to visit and see our new place. We loved showing her around the real-life Norman Rockwell painting where we have the privilege of living.
The kids look so little to me! Josh had just turned 11 and Julia was 9. Josh is now quite a bit taller than both Doug and me and Julia is close to surpassing us.
I look at that photo and I can almost hear the nearly endless laughter of that sweet time. Our hearts were so full and we were all excited to begin a new chapter.
We had no way of knowing then that the economy would crash and Doug’s industry would be dealt a harsh blow. The job that had brought us here was gone two years later and life hasn’t been the same since.
Looking back, I celebrate the fact that I knew deep in my heart that that time in our lives was very special…and I truly treasured it as I was living it.
Live all your moments…especially the happy ones.
He who binds himself to a joy
Does the winged life destroy;
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sunrise.
—William Blake
Power Of A Moment 