Full Life~Full House

Being chosen is the greatest gift we can give each other. When my chosen family chooses to spend time with us amounts to being chosen, being included. There are times when we so miss our family that all live out of the state of New Mexico and yet we are never alone. We are surrounded and embraced by the families that have grown up with our children, in our classrooms, scouts, and Young Life. What a gift to have one of these dear to us young adults stop by for a chat or give us a hug in the grocery store. The beauty of this present is that not only are they in our lives but now we count their little ones as family.

Being included in their lives is an honor, a privilege. We don’t take it for granted that we are surrounded by a chosen family when our chosen family live so far away. Technology keeps us close to our kids and grandkids. Someday we will get my beautiful sister to look at my wrinkles rather than her own and get her to Facetime. She hates seeing herself so refuses. But keeping connected allows us to be present in the lives of ours even when we can’t be together. We love that feeling of inclusion.

Being involved in the lives of others gives us the opportunity to stay connected. Our house is not an empty nest in the true sense of the word. It is filled with laughter and conversation from those who continually stop by and those who choose to live in our home with us. We are fortunate to have a nurse and a computer whiz living in our spare rooms. Some would feel it is intrusive to have people in their personal space but for us it is sharing our lives with others. Our lives are full with an ever growing family. I am ecstatic when a mom calls me and asks if we can go to a school performance because she can’t get off work to attend. It is our pleasure to be Noni and Papa to others young ones. Another bonus is that often when we are at the event I run into other young parents that grew up with my own children.

Life if full living on Noni’s Park in Papa’s house with happy sounds of families and children pouring through our windows. This is home and our hope is it is always a welcoming place to everyone.

In Him,
Joyful
12-21-19