Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Dear God,

We laughed and laughed.  Two granddaughters ages 13 and 12 spent the night in the tent with me.  It was just two days ago when two others stayed.  Just about the time we were to fall off to sleep Gabrielle, the older grandchild, decided to tell the saga of an imaginary story I created five or six years ago.  She named all the characters and told their zany story.  It all started in 2008 when we sat in our van while the rain poured down on our July 4 celebration.  The kids were antsy so I made up this story and we all laughed so hard. Often now I continue the story when I spend the night on the floor in sleeping bags at their home.  Sophie, the 12 year old, had not heard the story so Gabrielle filled her in as laughter wafted through our back yard.

I tell your this, dearest God, because I realize you bind us together through shared common stories.  When I die some day, they will retell the stories, then laugh and cry.  They will remember me as a grandma who loved them very much.  Perhaps they will create their own stories to tell.

You have shown me how making life together is a valuable tool to build love in relationships.  You have taught me how to open myself to being silly like today when I began to dance in my seat at the restaurant while the girls giggled and begged me to stop. You have reminded me how vital love is to the well being of the human spirit.  When that spirit and the God spirit come together, so much wonderfulness can be made, shared, and retold for years.

Wondrous God,
thank you
for teaching us
the way
of love
and laughter.
Thank you
for faith
that opens
the door
to joy.

Love, Andrea