Today is a special day for our family. . . Abigail Grace Schreck turns TEN years old. She is our first granddaughter, one smart cookie, beautiful like her mommie, a nurturer, an honor student, a worshipper, a baker and a great soccer player.
Here is a picture of the sour cream pound cake Abby and I baked recently. My mom (an excellent cook) made these often and Abby was excited to have that connection. It did taste delicious, if you're wondering.
The Schrecks and Smiths do birthday parties for the major birthdays: one, five, ten and so on. Otherwise, they explained to us, we would be celebrating a birthday every other month. (They have four children each and when Olivia is born, we will be a family of Eighteen people! Yes, Christmas and the other celebrations are indeed loud, chaotic, amazing events for us.)
We'll be celebrating Abigail's birthday in grand fashion on Saturday evening. She asked that the decorations be cat related as she's trying to talk her parents into giving her a kitten. Unfortunately, two-thirds of our family are allergic to cats so that probably won't be happening.
This picture is from our birthday lunch with her when she was five. She had her choice of any restaurant in town and she chose Chick-Fil-A. They still had a playground open at the time and when you combine that with a chocolate dipped ice cream cone from DQ, you come out looking like amazing grandparents.
Looking back like this is good for us all because it reminds us of the importance of little steps. There's nothing so big about taking two hours to bake a sour cream pound cake. It takes even less planning to share lunch utilizing a playground and some ice cream for entertainment. But Abby enjoyed both little adventures.
I've met lots of people who think life is all about big, grand moments. The trip to Disney. The cruise to the Bahamas. The new car at sixteen.
Those are great. Nothing wrong with them if you can afford them. But I think many people who are waiting for the big moments run the risk of missing life that's also found in the small things.
Abby is blessed because both sets of her grandparents value the small moment investments. She talks with her grandparents in NY almost every week. And little packages arrive in the mail frequently. When Grandma and Grandpa visit, the children are lavished with undivided attention. They know they are loved.
This final picture is from Abby's first birthday. I remember taking this picture (and the half dozen others I also took trying to get one good picture with her holding still and looking at the camera. LOL)
The point is, it feels like I took this picture yesterday. Time flies, friends. Scroll back up and see how quickly. Same sweet eyes. Same infectious smile. But 3,650 days have passed between them.
We have shared a few big moments but more important have been the dozens of little ones. Little moments listening to her jabber on about things I didn't really understand. Little moments making eye contact that communicated, "You are important!" Little moments singing "Baby Shark" together at the top of our lungs. Little moments sitting beside one another, squeezing her hand before she ran off to play with her cousins.
Those moments may not seem like much when they happen but I assure you, life is richest when woven of countless little threads that offer strength and warmth against the cold, harsh days.
Make time for the little moments, friends. Those are the greatest gifts you can offer anyone you love.
Happy Birthday, Abby Grace! May the your love for the Heavenly Father grow even stronger during the next decade of your life. Noni and Papa pray so daily and love you more than we have words to tell.
Dear Sheri, I keep a book of inspirational quotes that speak to me personally and refer to these often. Typing the church bulletin earlier this week I had blank space and included a quote from you: “Sometimes difficulty serves as the ferry which moves me to the new destination I’ve been longing to reach!” Today as I prepare to make copies for Sunday this quote hit me like a brick. Last month I had a physical. Dr has further questions, and I will be going to Mayo Clinic Monday for more tests. My brother has been in the hospital and will be released to a rehab facility, meaning I’ll be cleaning his apartment, (he's a hoarder) or depending on his rehab cleaning out the apartment. Yes, I’m feeling totally overwhelmed and your words inspired me to accept what’s happening in my life. Bless you and thank you, Karen
ReplyDeleteAh, Karen! Your comment is so timely and incredibly encouraging. I'm stopping to pray for you right now as you face these new challenges. May His Grace cover you and His Strength equip you for the days ahead.
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