Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

Yesterday I sat between my daughter and a friend's daughter at our church's family Christmas eve service.  There were poinsettias and angels and candles everywhere.  The message was about love and life and Christmas, familiar stories told with language that moved me deeply.  We sang the hymn "Star Child" in the middle of the sermon, and I was done for.  I felt that wonderful, painful, upside down, happy and sad feeling that wells up in my rib cage and emerges through my tear ducts.  I almost went into the "ugly cry" there for a moment. After the service was over, the mother of a very dear friend who was seated nearby grabbed me forcefully and hugged me like only a mama can; just what I needed.  She spoke warmly in my ear, "Thank you for being my daughter's friend."  Of course I welled up again.  I felt overwhelmed as the reality of my blessings snapped into clear focus.  I felt euphoric and filled wi...

Christmas has come and gone in a blur of twinkly lights, carols, sugary concoctions, jingling bells, sticky kisses, whispered prayers, and yule tide cheer.  Here are a few of the highlights that I was able to catch with my camera. The night before Christmas eve, these jolly little elves worked diligently to construct this delightful-looking gingerbread house which served as a perfect centerpiece to our holiday table for the next few days.  Never mind the fact that my two-year-old ate 37 gumdrops and 24 M&m's for dinner that night. On the morning of Christmas eve, George managed to make festive pancakes even though we couldn't scare up any food coloring.  Sophia and her little sister were rather impressed... At four o'clock, we all went to church, dragging Pawpaw and Uncle David along with us.  Emma rang with the Prime Chimers, Sophia had a lovely reading during the sermon and George and I made it through the Minuet Noel before my voice completely fr...

Yesterday at the eleven o’clock church service I sat sandwiched between my two eldest daughters.  It was lovely.  Emma’s arm was linked through mine as we sang the processional hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers , together.  My heart filled with mirth as the little girl to my right sang out so loudly and joyfully even though the tune of this song was lost on her.  Standing there listening to Emma sing took me back to other occasions when I’ve stood beside a beautifully off-key singing loved one.  My late grandfather Lewis’s hymn singing resembled the sounds a tortured cat might make, but I always smiled inside when I stood next to him in church.  Even though the music was like an unknown foreign language to him, the lyrics were stitched into his heart.  Any person who stood by his side while he softly squealed along with How Great Thou Art could clearly discern the depth of his sentiment. I have equally fond memories of listening to my late grandmother ...

Holy Week and Easter Weekend have been a flurry of emotions and activities.  I have enjoyed spending lots of time at church this week in musical and reflective pursuits, and I have also enjoyed time with my family at home.  My Sophia constantly pushes me to engage in crafty ventures.  I am easily persuaded but spend most of the time grumbling, "I HATE crafts!" Dear Sophie, please know that I love you dearly.  I force myself out of my comfort zone so that I can glue, stick, cut and color with you... all so that we may have this sought after thing called "quality time" together.  See my crafty specimens below... Specimen A: the chocolate molded/ dipped pretzel rods.   Heaven help me. Specimen B: The colorfully painted Easter eggs.   Hush your mouth!  Don't think this is a real craft?  My stained finger tips beg to differ. Specimen C: the flower-covered Easter bonnet Behold the craftiness of it all!  There was lots of holdin...

Every Thursday I drive my three children plus one to church for an evening of youth activities.  There is always a theme, and it is generally lots of fun.  This past Thursday the theme was "Red Carpet," and the suggested style of dress was "dressy."  Sophia and I looked through her closet and found her prettiest spring dress with eyelet lace and a pink sash.  We pulled out faux pearls, a fancy flowery headband and her super-fabulous "high-heeled" shoes.  She was set and gorgeous.  Emma, however, had something else in mind... ultra tight black leggings, black leather boots and a short black t-shirt with a leopard print peace sign on the front.  I sighed and could not conceal the look of disapproval on my face.  "I'm not sure that's appropriate for church," I said, "And I'm also not sure that's what was meant by 'Red Carpet,' Emma." She regarded me with mirrored disapproval, "MOM!  Can't a rock star be o...