A Road Less Travelled

Yesterday was my birthday (as you all know by now) and at my birthday feast James asked me what was the highlight of this past year. I couldn’t come up with one, but together we made a list of the highpoints of my twentieth year on God’s earth. These are not in order of importance. I’ll write them as they intrude on my consciousness. I caught a baby! It’s hard to get a cooler experience than that. Even now I will sometimes look at Justice and think that mine were the first hands to touch him. I made and wore an orange dress. This isn’t necessarily a highlight in itself, but I know it was the beginnings of honesty and liveliness in my clothing. I was talking to one of my sisters (the one without Internet) and she said that when I left Erie the most color she remembered me wearing was dark blue. And now I wear orange. I have become much more at ease with myself. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. People are starting to be able to get to know who I am under the mask that looks like my skin. I don’t think there was a moment when this happened. I only noticed it after it was already. I am more able to deal with more children. Crystal has left me with four and sometimes five children when she needed to go do something without them. We go to the Lansberry house and I am assaulted by nine children. When I first got here I couldn’t have handled that, but now it is easier to take it in stride. I can see the purpose I am here. I can see the reason God put me where I am. There are many people who have no idea why they are doing what they do. I am reminded every time I wash dishes and Crystal thanks me with the tiredness in her eyes. I am reminded every time Seth and Crystal mention they never used to get out together. I am reminded when Noah runs up with a smile and when Arianna asks me a question. I go to a friend’s house and she gets to take a nap that she never would have gotten. And I am reminded when Raquel says she is grateful I am her friend. It has been a very good year. The year was full of trouble, sorrow and fatigue. The year was full of light, joy and laughter. To God be all praise and honor. Amen