California Dreamin'

My parents left at high noon this morning, headed west to the place where I was raised, but no longer live. Yesterday, we took them on a tour of the surrounding towns here; all in all, it took us 4 hours to give the roundabout scenic expedition. You see, we live smack dab in the middle of nowhere....just past the plains and before the prairie. Ain't nuthin' much round these parts.

But, to me, this is God's country.

 As much as my heart aches for the home I grew up in, I have found my place here in the wide opens spaces, among the tall grass and roaming cattle, where horses graze and cowboys ride, with miles upon miles of untouched land, basking underneath a great big, blue sky. My heart swelled with pride as I was able to show my parents around, to give them a little taste of what I enjoy everyday.

There is something unbelievably special about working alongside my Mama cooking meals for the family while my little one looks one. Three generations talking and laughing, sharing smiles and making memories, both my Daddy and my husband grilling out back. In these simple moments, in what would normally pass without a second glance, I soak it all in, knowing that this moment will forever remain etched in my heart and I will carry it with me for all my days.

I thought my folks should experience a little bit of small town life before they headed back to the big city, so we enjoyed an ice cream social in town to help celebrate the museum and keep the funds going for the next year.

That's my Mama with my son, she's got the grandma touch as you can see!

There are times, when you start to think that surely your heart will burst at the seams, overflowing with love and happiness. As cliche as it may sound, life is truly wonderful. Today's good-bye's were hard to say, but just like knowing that you can't have Christmas everyday and still savor the special moments of a Christmas morn', you also must say a 'see you soon' to people who you hold close in your heart.

I have a life I never thought I would, a life I treasure deeply, a life that I pray pleases God, a life that I have done nothing to deserve, yet am eternally grateful for. Out of the millions of people, my husband picked me to be his help-meet, and God picked me to be the mom to my son.

 I could wish upon a star, but really,what more could I wish for.....