I woke up this morning very tired and moving in slow motion. We have had a wonderful weekend here at the Dougherty household - beautiful fall weather, precious family time, business with Lindsey's activities and enjoying Casie while she was home on fall break.
As a parent, there is something so deeply satisfying about having all of your chicks in the nest. I never quite understood that until our oldest, Casie, went away to college. I'm so proud of her and her accomplishments, and I wouldn't trade any of the wonderful education experience she is getting to have her back home. She is where she needs to be and doing what she needs to be doing. But on those wonderful occasions when she is home and I can gaze across the table and see both of my girls, I feel so happy inside.
Andy and I helped Lindsey host her annual Halloween party last night. We had an awesome group of 6th graders over, and it is always a pleasure to have our girls' friends in our home. Andy made a fire in the fire pit, and the girls roasted hot dogs and marshmallows outside and afterwards we bobbed for apples. Good, old fashioned fun....you can't beat it. They had amazing costumes and the sound of laughter could be heard all throughout our yard and our home. Our dogs even got into the festivities - playing with the girls and stealing anyone's hot dog that wasn't paying attention. (Thank goodness I had plenty)
As I reflect on the weekend, I am reminded again of how much I have to be thankful for. I am thankful for Andy - I appreciate the husband and father that he is. I love the fact that he is so handy that he can handle ANY kind of crisis I run into on days we are entertaining. Something gets broken, doesn't work, doesn't look right, or I've misplaced something I need. Give him a paperclip, rubberbands, nails, glue, etc - and he's like McGyver. He can fix and rig up anything I ask. He amazes me.
I am thankful for Casie. She's a very giving and unselfish young woman. Whatever group she is involved in - church groups, civic groups, school groups, etc.....she will give them her best effort. She arrived home this weekend after an incredibly busy 2 weeks at UCA - homecoming activities, Sigma activities, midterms, etc. She came through the door exhausted but with a smile on her face. Our relationship is evolving...we are mother and daughter, but as she grows into womanhood, our conversations change and I see other sides to her. It's hard to believe she'll be 21 in December. She's still so young....and yet, I see her growing everyday.
I am thankful for Lindsey - her laughter and sense of humor keep me in stitches. She is quick-witted and an absolute delight to be around. As she gets more involved in activities this year such as beginning band, youth group, and a civic group - I see her compassion for others. She's always been the one who wants to make sure all people are included. Our relationship is changing as well. Instead of driving her to younger children's activities, I just came back from dropping off her and friend for youth group at FPC.
Where does the time go???? I blinked, and my girls kept growing. I blinked and I had grown older. I blinked and realized I had missed opportunities I thought would always be around. I blinked and realized I missed someone's birthday or anniversary. I blinked and a whole week has gone by without me exercising or eating like I should. I blinked and the front door still doesn't have a fresh coat of paint. I blinked and the book on my nightstand is still untouched.
I blinked and Sunday is almost over.
I've realized that I need to make the most of each day that I am given. It's a realization that I have known for years now, but I don't always act on it. I want to live out this realization. I want to wake up eager for the new day. I want to look at the world and those around me through God's eyes, and love as He loves. I want to embrace Andy and the girls. I want to laugh and cry with my friends. I want lay my head on the pillow each night and thank God for the blessings and opportunities of the day.
