Quiet

Well, we did it.
The Smith family gathered...every one of us.
And it was great.
The fireplace was blazing, the snowmobile was zipping around the yard,
loads of firewood were cut & stacked on the porch,
Christmas lights twinkled on the tree and all over the house.
Our home overflowed with  food, presents,Wii games,
(Wheel of Fortune rocks!)
and little people of various ages running and riding and changing hands with regularity.

And there was noise. Lots and lots of noise.
Squealing, yelling, crying, arguing, discussing, but mostly... laughing.
Spontaneous, abundant, even hysterical laughter.
And I loved it. Every second.


God is good.

Tonight, the silence is deafening.
Even the kids that still live here are quiet.
A tiny forgotten sock reminds me of the vibrant life and love that just filled this place.
This was a precious time. A unique opportunity to gather and be the family that God created.
It may be one of many more... or the last.
Only My Father knows, and that's all right.
I am going to sip a cup of tea and relax into the comfort of memories. And quiet.

God is good, indeed.