Tonight's Blog for May 10.,2013

On her Facebook today, my daughter, Jodi commented on a sweet picture of Marge, with our two daughters. I

remember how uncomfortable Marge had felt posing for glamor shots with a friend as a photographer. I love this picture. They are beautiful and lovely and loved. I can't imagine my life without them. Mother's day is a tough holiday for many because of death, or separation, or harsh words or fear. I choose to celebrate the joy that is the sweetest part of mother's day. Everyone should remember the good parts, and focus on the positives of family instead of remembering those "momentary pains or failures" that also make family so important to helping us to be whole people. I want to share a moment from my family as an example. 

Marge is a great one for creating good memories out of nothing, and with little or no help from me, I might add. One such example was a halloween costume for Jodi that was a week long project, with lots of love and creativity. The resulting costume was an amazing giraffe. The picture was placed on Facebook to say "Thank you" for Marge's love and excellence as a mom. Jodi added a comment to her cousin, Stacie, that I want to share. 

Jodi wrote: "Stacie - Mom and I picked out the giraffe costume idea from a craft book and spent many fun hours making it together. I was so excited about it until the night of the party. Turns out a giraffe costume is not as cool as you would think, because I had to have help from my mom to take it off to get in the car and every time I walked through a doorway, which was awkward. Eventually, I got a little tired of being the only person in the room inside of an enormous cardboard box, so I ditched the costume in the corner. That left me costume-less in my yellow pants and white t-shirt, surrounded by a group of girls who all had such appropriately feminine "cute" costumes, like princesses. Also, and perhaps most importantly, a giraffe costume is an especially poor choice if you are A) just starting to be aware of your interest in boys, and B) very self-conscious about the fact that you are taller than every boy you know. Somehow this didn't cross my mind until it was too late to turn back."

God surely has blessed me and my family. My mom is a great lady, and my wife and daughters are as well. GOD you had a great plan when you brought people together as family. We celebrate the joys, the pains, and the happiness that is family. I love you LORD, and I love your church, and I love my family. Thank you , LORD! GOD Bless you tonight, big marv