Yearly Archives: 2010

Gorgeous Glass

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In the homes of England there is an endless variety of stunning glass windows. The entry halls, back doors and garage doors often have panels of “privacy glass” made blurry by patterns an ice skater might have etched with her blades. These are not colored or stained glass but clear panes into which designs have been “drawn”. The array is limitless, each one calling to come close and appreciate its unique beauty.

 

Despite the fact that we had to capture a massive bumble bee yesterday after he slipped through an open window, generally people in North England don’t need screens. The windows are big, to let in an abundance of natural light in this country famous for its cloudy days, and my admiration knows no bounds.

British etched glass is double-paned, and often the windows are without curtains. After all, no one can clearly see through a bumpy piece of glass. The bathrooms, especially, have gorgeous windows. Since we’ve had a week full of sunshine, the splendor of the patterns when filled with light coming through has absolutely mesmerized me.

 

Meant to discourage people from looking in, the wavy glass is effective. It can, however, be an annoyance for the same reason. If you’re expecting a friend and can see someone standing beyond the glass but can’t quite identify who it is, it’s a little unnerving.

Sometimes I read Scripture the same way I look through the patterned glass, ending up with a wiggly or blurred comprehension. It’s easy to grasp the general idea of the verses but difficult to see the deeper meaning on the second, third or fourth level. My heart longs to get better at that. I’m continually asking the Lord to help me, and once in a while he opens my understanding to really “get it.” When that happens, it’s one of life’s paramount experiences.

Some of the first sentences we’ll speak in heaven will probably be, “Ohhh. I see it now. It’s so clear. Of course!”

 

People we know who’ve already died and beat us to heaven are privileged to know much more than we do. Nate is in that crowd, and I’m thankful for his increased clarity. As for the rest of us, I’m sure God has an important reason for tempering our understanding, allowing us only bits and pieces while we’re here on earth. We’ll see the logic of that, too, after we’re in glory.

In the mean time, just as I take pleasure in looking through the ripply glass windows of England, I’ll continue to enjoy studying Scripture and looking for the usually-but-not-always hidden meanings buried in God’s inspired words. More than likely, just a few of those is all I can bear to “see” for now.
“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” (Luke 8:17)

Because They’re Twins

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Although I’ve personally known only a handful of twins, I’m currently getting an up-close look at twin grandbabies. The fact that Evelyn and Thomas arrived together, when unexpected, seems a bonus of immense proportions. Katy is often asked if twins run in her family, and she can’t give a definitive answer. It’s possible Katy did have a twin who was lost in early pregnancy, and she has had the unexplainable feeling she was half of a twin couple. In that case, the answer should be “yes”.

Evelyn and Thomas are, at only one month, already beginning to evidence personal likes and dislikes. For example, Evelyn likes to be warm; Thomas is a hot-body. Evelyn is a slow, steady eater; Thomas prefers short, frequent meals. Evelyn cries in a “snuffle”; Thomas cries with a wail. Evelyn is a night owl; Thomas is a morning lark.

They do have one fascinating thing in common, though. They genuinely like each other. If they’re crying simultaneously, placing them together stops one or both of them. It’s as if one is comforted by the close proximity of the other. They remind me of the magnetic Scottie dogs we had as children. As we moved the white dog toward the black one, suddenly they’d rush together and hold tight.

This afternoon Katy was enjoying a little cooking time while I was on twin duty. Both were fussy, so I pulled these still-floppy babies into my lap as best I could. Sure enough, the minute they touched each other, they turned their heads together and began sniffing in each other’s direction like inquisitive puppies. They tried to suck on each other’s heads and quieted down immediately, breathing each other’s air. Katy says she’s found one of them sucking on the other’s nose on several occasions, with both the sucker and suckee lost in contentment.

Might there be something unusual about this preferred togetherness? They spent nine months up close and personal before they were born, the last few weeks quite squished. No doubt there was some nose-sucking going on in that environment, also. It’s possible that being born produces extra stress on multiples due to the separation imposed on them at that time. Maybe Evelyn and Thomas are longing for each other’s company in a way the rest of us can’t understand. When they come face-to-face or front-to-back it might be a mock-return to a blissful memory.

Today while handling our twins, my thoughts went to the first biblical twins, Jacob and Esau, multiples who squabbled from the get-go. They never really appreciated each other and fell into a competition that was almost deadly. I’m sure God has a different plan for twins. Their togetherness is a marvel, an unusual gift from him, and I can’t help but think he wants them to take advantage of it.

I’m anxious to see if Evelyn and Thomas remain close pals as the months and years roll by. Thomas may gravitate toward his older brother, Nicholas, both being boys. But something tells me he’ll always look out for his twin sister. Having spent nine months and four weeks in pleasant togetherness, they’ve got a healthy head start on living their lives in one accord.

“Be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:2-3)

Team Gran

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As we move through the months and years of our lives, we also move through relationships, some sought out by us and others arriving on their own. For example, when our children marry, their in-law families become shirt-tail relatives, and we are put together on important occasions. Some of these required relationships remain formal. Others are treasures.

Nate and I “clicked” immediately with Hans’ parents-in-law, Cliff and Sarah. Because they live in England, I knew we probably wouldn’t see much of them, but in the last four years, we’ve been together over seven different chunks of time. It’s been much easier to develop relationships than any of us anticipated, and we are counting our blessings.

When Nate died, Cliff and Sarah made their way from Britain to the States to be a part of his visitation and services. Flying six time zones away from home for just three days on two expensive plane tickets is a sacrifice of immense proportion none of us will every forget. And this week we are together again, although Nate is not among us. He is the subject of many conversations, though, and I’m thankful Cliff and Sarah miss him greatly. We are of one mind in that.

 

Today Sarah and I spent some good grandma time with each other and with our three little charges, giving Katy some well-deserved time off. She went to town and then walked in the hills on a beautiful sunny day in the UK, providing us with feeding bottles for the twins before she left. Sarah and I enjoyed working with and playing with our miniature relatives, twins Thomas and Evelyn (four weeks old today), and Nicholas (16 months).

We sang with the children, did dishes, read stories, ate and fed, admired the wonder of it all and hung up the most adorable laundry in the neighborhood. In addition to that, Sarah and I had a happy time being together, continuing to strengthen our friendship and add to our store of memories. What a privilege it is to know her. She is a woman of grace, love and patience. When she was working with little Evelyn today, I watched the baby grab Sarah’s necklace, pulling it tight and hanging on for dear life. Her granny, a natural, never noticed. When I watch Nicholas relate so lovingly to her, I feel less badly that I’m 4000 miles away during most of the year. Sarah is grandma enough for both of us.

Today she and I experimented with a camera, struggling to take video footage of the twins while they both chirped with the hiccups. As much fun as my kids will have watching those mini-movies, Sarah and I had an even better time making them. Although my visit is twinged with sadness because Nate isn’t here, the days are themed with gladness because of the people God has brought into our/my life through Katy’s parents.

 

In addition to sharing three grandchildren, Sarah and I share a faith in the same Savior, and his name pops up in our conversation frequently. She and I are co-grandmas, and we’re also sisters-in-Christ. For both relationships I am exceedingly grateful. Together we will teach these children not only how to toss a ball and ride a scooter but how to love the same Lord we love. And there is no better project for the two of us to share.

 “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” (Psalm 78:4)