Seasons are starting to change

I am starting to see the changes in seasons this weekend. And as I notice less crickets cherping or the faded green in the trees, I reflect on an amazing summer. It is something that was at times hard to see because I was so involved in it. You some times get drug down with the mundane actions such as doing laundry or rushing from one activity to another and later realize it is gone. But gone it is not. It is a memory I hope to always treasure. It started with my commitment to spend time with my family this summer, which I will never regret and will always love Joe for supporting me in doing, to completing our family with Nathaniel. An amazing trip to Korea, filled with fear, quickly turned into a love of the country, it's people and my son. A summer watching my children play and love as if they had always known one another, as if God had said it in a story and it was done. Why I couldn't see it before makes me wonder. A summer of tears for our dog Aussie who was told she had a short time to live due to cancer, has lead to a dog who faithfully carries on and wants to join in, bless you my sweet dog, who knew how much I would grow to love you. A summer filled with making pancakes, swimming at the Y (Aba swam for the first time without any type of saftey gear), playing at the park, playing with friends, blowing bubbles, riding bikes and yes doing housework. It was a summer of reconnecting. Abigail has reached out to her foster family and birth family through a translator in Guatemala who I consider a friend and hope to some day meet. I reached out to old friends, who I had thought about for years, and now can talk to anytime. It has also been difficult at times, teething and sleepless nights with Nate, my grandmother not knowing me, Abigail having 4 year old moments. But all of those seem small, fleeting. I will remember first tooth, pulling up, Abigail spelling her name, camping out, Joe's shows, kisses, tears of joy and most of all a completeness. Abigail asked me yesterday what I always wanted when I was a little girl. And the truth was, you could not have ever bought it in a store. I wanted 2 things, a happy family, the kind that dealt with challenges as a team and celebrated joy as one as well. I also wanted a neighborhood, where neighbors walked and waved. Where if you saw someone you knew, they reached out and gave you a hug. This summer I realized I got my wish. It may have been 27 years after I first wished it, but I have it. And it is not just because I wished it but because of all the love and support of the people who have reached into my life. Thank you all. For now, I am ready for fall, a new season lies ahead, filled with pumpkins, leaves, and the smell of wood burning. I can't wait!