Saturday, May 10, 2008

Dear God,

A miracle arrived at my doorstep today. A Fed Ex package was propped in front of the door. I noticed it when I drove in from a soccer game but then I forgot about it. When my middle daughter came over to borrow my edger, she brought the package in. I opened it in her presence. A Mother's Day gift, a beautiful handmade picture frame created by my oldest daughter. A card was enclosed. On the front was one simple word...Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom.

To some the word "Mom" is the daily norm, a familiar name for mother. But to me, a mother who lost her daughter for thirteen years, it is a miracle, an extraordinary miracle of great proportion. My daughter created a picture frame for me with beautiful intricate flowers. In her own handwriting on the frame she wrote, "Make every day a happy day." Today is a happy day.

The blending of hearts after so long is so sweet, sweeter than most anything in the world. I received the joy of my heart's prayer when you gave me an answer to a 13 year prayer. I prayed for my children to be together once again, to share in each other's lives, to invest in each other's children. You gave this mother the joy of seeing my children together again, grandchildren, cousins all together, laughing, sharing, playing, teasing, even praying together. And then on top of that you gave me my daughter back.

I marvel in the gift of your spirit, so powerful, so sensitive, so kind and gentle, so caring, so mysterious. For your spirit was the first gift I received when my heart was broken in teeny tiny pieces. Your spirit saved me from despair. Your spirit deepened my own spirit. Your spirit gave me courage. Your spirit loved me and loved me and loved me for thirteen years. Your spirit spoke hope a million times. Your spirit crept into my heart at night when I cried. Your spirit picked me up and cradled me when I was lost. Your spirit revealed my insides to me and gave me an opportunity to renew my life, to change and be transformed. Your spirit sprouted spiritual roots inside me when my tiny roots began to shrivel from lack of living water. Your spirit prayed for me in a language only heaven could understand. Your spirit breathed new life into me. Your spirit sang songs to me, the melody of heaven. Your spirit turned me inside out and the healing began there. Your spirit encouraged me, giving me hope. Your spirit comforted me, pouring onto me the oil of gladness. Your spirit touched me, inspired me, warmed me, challenged me, grew me offering me peace like no other. Your spirit did all this and much, much more.

Living in the middle
of a miracle,
I recognize
once again
the great and wondrous gift
of your spirit.
You lavish me
with daily gifts
priceless, daily gifts.
I shall always
sing your song.
I shall always
give praise.
I shall always
offer you my heart.
I shall always
raise my hands upward
to make my offering
of love.
I shall always.

Love, Andrea