PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits
What's happening?!
Yes, this weekend's uber-late-to-the-party edition of PORCH will sneak in right under the wire. I'm in recovery mode after spending the last week at Camp and I'm guessing that these snapshots will speak a thousand words of the sheer joy of spending 7 days with 6 teenagers.
These guys are the real deal. Courageous, wittier and more energetic than I'll ever be, tender, and occasionally too smart for their own good. Spending a week in their company was utterly priceless.
Walks and talks, puzzles and watercolors. A brief impromptu dance party on a small motorboat ('go grandma!') Hearing their fears and dreams. Learning from their wise choices. Cheering on their athletic prowess. Worshipping together ... and downing far too much ice cream.
I'm grateful to be doing life with them, usually from afar. I find it quite freeing not to feel like I've got to solve their problems, fix their dilemmas, or save their souls. I try to listen more than dispense unwanted advice or unnecessary opinions. I'm applauding every godly character trait and wise decision I can find.
Praying without ceasing has become my lifeline. Because this is what grandparents do. Yes, I love my role in this sometimes treacherous, often miraculous season of their lives.
(Oh and spending time with their parents? Bonus points, for sure.)
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something learned
My friend Lois is debuting @RememberingOurParents. She has been a faithful, gentle encourager in my own grief journey and I'm so excited that she is now building community around this healthy desire to recall and reflect. Here's what, why, and how.
Knowing when to hold our tongues and allowing our grandchildren to simply express themselves with all the candor of who they are in this time and place is a gift that will keep on giving, Linda. Virginia just turned 13 a few days ago, so your words here really hit home. May I be one to listen with my whole heart and slow to pass judgment. The children need us now more than ever.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you and your family!
'May I be one to listen with my whole heart and slow to pass judgment.' This is the perfect Grandparent's Prayer, Martha. And may we pray this not from a place of fear, but with 'power, love, and a sound mind,' remembering how faithful God has already been in our lives.
Delete2 Timothy 1:7
Thanks for kicking off what I hope will be a hope-filled conversation. He is able.
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How fun to see all the pictures of your family, Linda! You all look wonderful! Always so fun to all be together. Our first great grandchild recently turned 3 months old…way too many miles between us! Our hearts long for the next time we can all be together…❤️. We savor every precious moment we get!
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DeleteSorry about that 'comment removed' thing there. Not sure what that's about. Gotta love technology.
DeleteI hear ya about the way too many miles, Carole. Decades later, I still wish that the distance could shrink, that someone would move closer. Covid did me in because it was well over a year that we didn't see each other. And when we finally reunited the kids had grown from kids-who-cuddle to teens-on-the-run. I felt like we missed a whole season of their lives. It was a great grief.
This season right now is oh so sweet and oh so FUN!
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P.S. Text me some pics, ok?
I fear you will tire of all the pics…I sent just a small sampling!!! Can’t get enough of him! The miles that separate us are painful!
DeleteWe, too, spent many many months with just phone calls, texts and FaceTime’s…which could never replace the hugs and times together. So grateful for the precious times together; we cherish every sweet moment…though too much time elapses between.
So nice to catch up a bit here with what is going on in your lives.❤️
Yeah. Nothing replaces hugs. Nothing.
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It is best I am not trusted
ReplyDeletewith your growin' chillun'.
My sense of what is fittin's rusted,
but I am always willin'
to teach 'em how to throw a knife,
and a good sharp tommyhawk,
for weapons is my very life,
and kids should learn to walk my walk.
Next step for the Sweet Sixteen
an Armalite unfettered,
which will make them more than keen
for what cannot be bettered
than an intro to Ma Deuce,
then range time, turn old lady loose.
Armalite is IRA slang for an M-16.
Ma Deuce is the immortal Browning M2 50 caliber machine gun.
No weapons around these parts for my kiddos. But I'm sure a few would absolutely love your stories and almost all of them would adore your animals.
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Aw, such sweet pictures! You can just see the joy in all your faces! May God bless each and every one of you in so many special ways. Sending love and blessings your way today, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Cheryl. It is a joyful season despite all that life has thrown at them. And laughter is absolutely contagious! I feel years younger when I'm with them. And that's an incredible gift.
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Hmmmm life with 6 teens? It is no wonder you came home and are still recovering. :) Good teens are a delight to be around. And they actually acted like they liked each other! BONUS! As for the ice cream: blue seems off but I will take that small bowl! I could get my "ice cream" on for that.
ReplyDeleteThe chemistry when they're all together is magical. One feeds off the next. It's such a rich feast. We get lots of weird looks from people ... I'm sure some think we've gone totally mad!
DeleteI'm with you. I'll skip the blue. Chocolate peanut butter calls my name.
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Oh that sounds like such a fun week! And the ice cream sure does look yummy.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, yes and yes!
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♡
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heart even though it didn't show up here.
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Linda, your family photos show the love and joy on each face. Grandchildren are a blessing and we love each moment with our 7, 4, and 2 year olds! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteOh Pam, what wonderful ages. I love how you and your husband put your heads together to capture those sweet moments with your lens. And only YOU have that magical cottage and gorgeous gardens to play and dream in.
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Wow times Six! I hadn't put the pieces together that your grands are so grown up. Our oldest will be 9 in September, and he's already rolling his eyes about things that used to delight his heart, so I'm braced for a bit of an adjustment in the coming years. I hope I can be as cool as you have managed to be. Believe me, I was taking notes on the "listen but don't try to advise" section.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the trail of wise breadcrumbs you scatter wherever you go. This writing life can feel very solitary at times, and I try to spare my good husband and family the details.
Gotta get busy with the half bushel of beans I just picked this morning!
Thanks for another good letter and especially the pictures.
* subscriber email response
If there's any breadcrumbs to be found, they've been birthed through going through some really hard stuff ... and learning that God truly is sufficient. Discovering that I'm not the Holy Spirit took all the self-induced pressure off to try rescue, fix, or save. I can be concerned without panicking. I can listen without thinking I have all the 'right' answers just because I've got a few letters after my name.
DeleteLife is often not simply black and white. I just want to love well. And laugh often. I feel His pleasure.
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My gracious, Linda ... my heart is full just LOOKING at your photos, so I can imagine what yours feels like right now. So many beautiful people in your life. And such an important role you now fill as grandma. I only met one of my grandparents and didn't really know him, but I am so very thankful my girls have/had the gift of knowing and loving their grandparents.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a surprise to see the Remembering Our Parents logo and read your sweet words about it. Thanks for your encouragement and support, dear friend!
These best moments are rare and fleeting, aren't they. Just glancing at these snapshots brings back all the laughter and joy and deepest fulfillment of last week. And reminds me that God answers prayer, that He brings hope and healing, and yes, that all will be well.
DeletePlease keep me posted on Remembering Our Parents, ok? I'm cheering you on from the sidelines. Wouldn't your parents be thrilled ...
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Oh what a great opportunity to spend that time with your family! The ice cream is huge, LOL! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCindy, I'm glad you're here ... hope your July's been super!
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All those big smiles on those young faces prove: they were having just as much fun as you and hubby! Kudos to you, Linda, for adding joy to your grands' lives. I suppose when they want advice they'll ask for it! 'Love your comment to "M" above, that you're not the Holy Spirit, so you don't have to rescue, fix, or save. Wise words I'm taking to heart!
ReplyDeleteThey add so much joy to our lives. My husband lights up every time they appear. I'm so grateful! And yes, I'm finding that just offering my attention invites conversation. And sometimes not. Either way, I'm good.
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That ice-cream...whoaa! Very large indeed! My grandparents were not in my life very long, and I think that's helped me value being a grandparent myself! I'm so blessed to spend time with them, and we have our summer "traditions" such as attending exhibition. From the kiddie rides to the crazy upside-down-swing-me-in-the-air rides (that I won't even try), it's been a blessing to be part of every season of their lives.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so cool you can do those kinds of things with them, Lynn! You're so brave! If I was even invited to an amusement park, the most I'd do would be eat fried dough and watch them fly skywards.
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I enjoyed seeing the photos of your beautiful family, Linda.
ReplyDeleteLove the smiling faces.
Hugs and blessings
When all is said and done, favorite photos capture those seconds in time that we wish we could keep forever ...
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What a beautiful family. Your time together sounds just terrific -- what marvelous memories you made for all of you.
ReplyDeleteI loved every minute of it. Except the goodbye part ...
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What fun and creating memories. I think one of my biggest surprises about being a grandparent is how much I love the role. Happy weekend, Linda!
ReplyDeleteYeah, a whole lot easier than parenting was!
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How I love this! What fun - and what wisdom. You write: I find it quite freeing not to feel like I've got to solve their problems, fix their dilemmas, or save their souls - yet, you are. In so many ways that are not directly said. Beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteMaryleigh, I never thought of it that way. Better caught than taught? Wow, thanks for that insight.
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The teens are all right! They are fortunate to still have their grandparents!
ReplyDeleteYeah, and in this season, we are fortunate to rub up against their energy and zest! More than a week later, I'm still recovering. That's caught me by surprise.
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Okay, so funny thing. I subscribe to your porch, but I don't read about it from my email, I wait to be surprised when you share here. Lol.
ReplyDeleteYour family is precious what a treasure!
Thanks bunches for sharing your camping adventure with your 6 teenagers with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
That's FUNNY! Whatever works for ya, friend ...
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