These are nostalgic days for Paul and me. We are packing up and relocating 34-years of accumulation. Blue skies, sun, and warm summer breezes are a respite from severe days of torrential rain, hail, and damaging winds.

After the rain the live oak tree outside my studio window stands lush and green, shading the carport and driveway. I’ve been surrounded by loveliness at Rosemary Hill, a loveliness that stirs my creative and spiritual senses and increases my appreciation for my husband. Twenty years ago, I watched from a window as he carefully planted tree seedlings to flank our new house, additions to the thousands of trees in our woods saying, “Each one means I love you.”

Those Thousands of love notes have greeted me each morning and now the seedlings stand tall reaching above the tin roof seaming to protect our home.

“A tin roof?!” Others questioned our logic in placing an old fashioned, corrugated metal roof on a new home. But we have enjoyed the coziness of listening to rain drops pelt the metal roof above us. Yet such an ambiance has its price, and Paul has had the never ending chore after a storm, of checking for leaks created by the rain blowing under the metal edges to stain our ceilings, as well as the exhausting task of cleaning up multitudes of fallen branches and bark that storms cause to litter our two acres of front yard. I’ve watched him methodically scan the ground and bend to place pieces of sorted wood in large trash bags that he carries as he moves about, keeping our place neat and well groomed. He tells me of various yellow spotted spiders in webs that span above the trees and how it is difficult not to run head on into them as he steers the riding mower through the clusters of trees throughout the yard. In high grass one can encounter snakes, ticks, fire ants and butterflies, yet Paul habitually patrols our place, working tirelessly to keep it looking great, and creating an attractive sanctuary for birds and wildlife. We have never lost our excitement or anticipation watching for the wildlife that invariably crosses our path.

So I affirm that regardless of circumstances God gives His children the ability to stay excited about life. Things change, we move on, but always with the assurance of God’s grace. He promises to always be with us, so we that we may be productive and vital, even as we age and face changes in life.

Together Forever

Any place you are with me
Will always be our happy home
A place where conflict or dissension
By God’s grace will never come
So the place that we call home
Will forever be
Just a stepping-stone along the pathway
To the mansion God has promised
To His loved ones in eternity.