Great news

At 12:49 this morning, I received a text message from the lovely Carrie. Seems Miss Olivia Jane has finally made her appearance, weighing in at 6lbs 11oz. I cannot wait to go see her.

As I lay there in the wee hours this morning, thinking about where she and Dale are in their parenting journey versus where I am, I composed this. My mind just would not shut down, I got up and made the notes just so I could go back to sleep. I thought this might just be the best thing for MaggieGrace to say today.

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THE GARDEN OF TEARS

There will be many tears on this journey of ours. Life is full of reasons for those tears.

Why tears?

There will be tears of JOY. A new baby. A new job. A wedding. A birthday. Let them fall readily. They are an important part of keeping GRATITUDE growing in your life. Look for reasons to keep JOY AND GRATITUDE at the front center of your garden. Right by the gate. Let everyone see these and they will wonder what makes your life so beautiful. You will smile and say "I have so many things to celebrate."

There will be tears of FEAR. Worry about the next thing. Money, a job, health, what might come of........ These tears are real. They happen because we are human, we feel powerless, it is about not being in control. As the mom of teens, the tears of FEAR have been a companion a lot of my time. They are tears that are not needed in the garden. Best put out in the compost pile out back. Left in the garden they will grow into weeds. As hard as it is, pull these out, toss them away, turn them over to God, let Him carry these for you. Mind you - like kudzu - these can be stubborn and difficult to get rid of. Keep trying, your garden will be much more distinctive without this weed. People will wonder where that weed went. You'll just smile and say " I keep carrying those to the compost heap, FEAR really is not needed in this garden of GRATITUDE AND JOY."

There will be tears of PAIN AND LOSS. Sorry to have to include them in the garden, but like pruning looks horrible on the rose bush, these are needed for strength. For every pain we endure, we get a little stronger. Memories of those struggles, helps us recognize the JOYS when we encounter them. Strength and recognition of JOY will help us sow even more beauty into the garden. People will wonder why you are so strong. You will smile and say "I recognize the JOYS in my life and know just how important it is."

There will be tears of FRUSTRATION. The man you married is an inconsiderate slob. That child that was such a joy on the day she was born, suddenly challenges every rule you make. You worked so hard on that meal and no one even said thanks. Yes, these tears are needed too. think about how clean and green things are after a summer rain. All the dust and grime washed off the plants. Things are bright and colorful again. These tears are the ones that clear the air. Afterwards you realize that the man always takes out the trash, makes sure the tires are good on your car, hauls that child to ball practice again and again. That teenager is simply learning to make her own way in life. She needs you still and yet she wants to stretch a little farther. Everyone laughed and lingered talking and sharing over dinner - after all it really wasn't about the food, but the fellowship and laughter that was shared. After these tears everyone will marvel at just how beautiful your garden is. You'll just smile and say. "keeping the grime off really lets those JOYS AND GRATITUDES shine."

There will be TEARS THAT DO NOT FALL. Those that you wipe away. Those that you are not sure about. Those you could not explain. He said something that hurt your feelings. Your child is making a bad decision, but the best thing is to let it play out. Think of these as the seeds that never sprout, maybe a bird ate them, maybe they were not fertile anyway. Let them be what they are, makes no difference in your garden anyway. People will see you and think, there is never any doubt in her life. You will smile and say "Those JOYS AND GRATITUDES sure are pretty today."

There will be be TEARS YOU HIDE. Mom crys in the shower, because punishment hurts her too. She wishes things were different, look what's happening to you. Will he ever look at you again and feel that loving tug? These are the fertilizer of this garden we create. Not seen and not heard, just working beneath the soil. These tears bring the clarity, the definition in the view. They help with balance and compostition, perspective changes too. People look and say "wish my life looked like hers". You will smile and answer them "you should see my JOYS AND GRATITUDES today, they are at their grandest display."

One more set of tears. Are you ready for this one? The TEARS OF AWE AND MAJESTY are just not seen by everyone. Tiny fingers grasp your hand. Giggles as toes wiggle in the sand. A sunset full of color, God's paintbrush in the sky. Your child chooses a mate, that you love as much as she. Tiny little accents that take your breath away. Exotic plants for this garden. The ones you want to share. When you get a glimpse of these they take your breath away. A beauty and scent unmatched, not seen everyday. Others will wonder about the smile on your face.

You'll answer

"let me show you, come right on through the gate. Have tea here in my garden. Come share this view with me. Look through the JOYS AND GRATITUDES find AWE AND MAJESTY. You really have to look for them, yours may not look like this. Cultivate your own, I'll help with starts from mine. Lean on me for guidance, call me anytime. Then I'll admire your garden, we will visit all the time. I really have no secret tips, tears just water it all the time."

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Click over and leave Carrie a congrats message at her place.

Have a wonderful day.