(Blogging the list, post 2)
My youngest child has freckles...sprinkled across the bridge of her nose like so much cinnamon on toast. They are adorable, and they make me happy just to look at them! She's a quiet one, this blue-eyed pixie. She often goes somewhat unnoticed by others. She tends to hover around me almost virtually like my shadow. When people do notice her, it's common for them to say how much they like her freckles--a comment that always elicits a quiet smile and down-cast eyes. I think she captures hearts with those freckles and that sweet smile.
I don't know what it is about freckles that is so appealing. Many people who have them spend a lot of time hoping they will go away--even trying to be rid of them. Anyone else remember the classic, Frecklejuice? (It doesn't work, by the way...I had freckles once, too!). Wikipedia reveals that people with freckles have a lower amount of photoprotective melanin in their system, making them more vulnerable to sun exposure.
Hmmm...I feel an analogy coming on! Probably due to the health challenges that this freckled princess has weathered, I think I've always felt her vulnerability more keenly. No one in our family has needed to be quite as brave as she in what she has had to face in her short life. And the evidences of her vulnerability are still visible in many ways...a bit like freckles--sprinkled across her life. But, I also see how she has an overcoming spirit. I admire her strength, in fact.
One day, it's likely the freckles across her nose will fade away, like mine did. And every day, I see her strength growing and her vulnerability fading. But for now, I will enjoy watching the evidence of her overcoming...and those nose freckles, too. Yep, I know she captures hearts with that sweet, freckled smile. She sure has captured mine!
(Blogging The List--post 1)
A while back, I found myself waiting in the sitting area of a department store dressing room. My teen daughter was trying on dresses for her upcoming dance and I--the mom with the feet tired from covering the mall up and down in our quest--was trying out the chairs which were thoughtfully provided for those in my situation.
As I waited, I observed the others around me. Mostly, it was other mothers and daughters on the same quest as we, but one group caught my eye especially.
It was a group of co-workers from the department store, gathered around to see the result of one of their own, trying on some new outfits. It didn't appear to be for any special occasion, but I was struck by how they intereacted. You see, this group was comprised of about half a dozen women from all areas of the globe. Their skin colors and accents varied widely, but they were all women. It fascinated me that they all seemed to share the goal common to women of finding (or helping a friend find) an outfit that achieves the purpose of all good outfits: to make us look good and feel good about who we are in it! I smiled to myself as they all weighed in on the different outfits their friend modeled. They were all encouraging--they were united.
It made me think about how very much alike we are in our hearts. We have similar aims and goals, dreams and desires as women. We are like an international sisterhood. This thought makes my heart happy. It gives a new meaning to reaching out to others not like me outwardly. It makes me thankful to be a part of the world.
Just over 462 items in to my "1000 Gifts" List and I began to think about how I'd like to interact with some of these items with more than a few words jotted in the journal...to savor them and feel them spread out into my life like a healing oil. So, the idea was born to "Blog the List." This should provide plenty of material...there's so much to be thankful for!
