This is the first holiday that my daughter was unable to be with us. She moved to China for a job opportunity a little over a month ago so taking an extended leave to come home for Holiday isn't possible this year. Her absence is difficult for all of us. However, during the last few years I have been gifted with so many amazing moments that my faith has been strengthened over and over again. I know that things are happening just as they should be.
The philosophy of a work/life balance is good in theory but we need to work to live. So it is inevitable that at times one takes precedence over the other. I sometimes become frustrated as I try to maintain the work/life balance and wonder why God is leaving me to struggle like this. Sometimes I simply feel overwhelmed so I pray for guidance and help in maintaining my perspective. I have faith that God will guide us and he will help us respond to life's experiences, direct us in the best direction, and show us in his own way that he is with us.
Holiday time is a difficult time for me. It is a time of emotion and my 'to do list runneth over.' I tend to over commit both at work and at home during this time of year so it isn't unusual to find myself praying for that guidance more often than I normally would. Most recently I was becoming frustrated because the Thanksgiving day schedule changed and then changed again and then again. In the end, the day was to be spent with just me, my son, and my granddaugther with an early morning call to my daughter, a drop in visit from friends, and an outing later in the evening. Since the dinner was just the three of us, I bought nice holiday table settings and was prepared for a nice dinner.
Our Thanksgiving had an early start so we could call my daughter before her Thanksgiving day ended. I made cinnamon rolls, there was a trip to the park, we walked the dogs, and then it was time for lunch. My granddaughter followed me around the kitchen that morning as the smell of cinnamon permeated my home. She was saying "Nana, I want a ninnamon roll," in her two year old voice. She helped my son set the table but instead of my new tableware, she wanted to set the table with her M and M plates. She took my hand and showed me my spot. Then she said "You have blue nanna." In my spot was her favorite blue M and M plate. My good dishes are cobalt blue, my car is blue, and many other things because it is my favorite color. She knows I like blue so my granddaughter shared her favorite blue M and M plate with me. I was moved by such a thoughtful gesture from someone so young. We ignored the table settings I had originally intended to use. For lunch I made Shrimp scampi and salad. Dinner was a roast duck with potatoes and vegetable, followed by a blueberry cobbler. Everything was eaten on the blue M and M plate with a precious little voice telling Nana that she "likes this kind of chicken." Then it was off to Zoo Lights. The only thing that would have made it happier is if my daughter had been with us.
Friday afternoon I read an email from my daughter. She is working in China and churches are restricted there. She has been looking for a place to worship was excited that she finally found a church but the services are held either through a virtual church or in someones home. She said the Bishop is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner. His family was hosting a dinner for those who attend the services. She was so excited about the church, meeting other Americans, and a real Thanksgiving dinner with real American food. I had been praying for her and was happy that she had found a connection to home. Then on Saturday night I received an email saying "Mom, I was talking to the bishop's wife. She is the lady who invited me to dinner and she is from your home town. When I mentioned your name she become very emotional and said you were good friends in School." I immediately wondered who she had met on the other side of the world because the town I grew up in was very small. The email continues, "She even knows Grandma's house and your family." When she finally mentioned her name and asked if I remembered her I was stunned and, become emotional myself. This woman and I were very very close friends but we lost contact when her family moved to a different town. Many of the memories from my youth include her or her family. I think I was 17 or 18 the last time I saw her. It is nothing short of a miracle that she and my daughter connected Chengdu China.
I rarely cry, but I cried when I read my friend's first email. Although I am happy to reconnect, I am also sad to learn that she was struggling with health issues. So I spent some time crying because of the miracle, the reunion with a dear friend, and because of her struggle with cancer. She will be in Arizona in a few weeks. Seeing my dear friend will be the best present I could have. There are times when it is hard to trust, but I know things happen for a reason. How could I not trust when I have just witnessed another one of God's miracles.
Over the last few years I have been blessed with some miracles that are nothing short of spectacular. I know that whatever happens does so because it was meant to happen. God has his own way of reminding me that living isn't about predictability, schedules, work, or perfect dinners. I am so grateful for the life experiences that taught me to open my mind and my heart to the defining moments that can only be described as a miracle. I am grateful for the experiences that taught me to appreciate that small gestures, like a two year old sharing her blue MandM plate and miracles such as reconnecting with a dear friend from my youth ...all because my daughter struck up a conversation with a woman at a church dinner .... while living on the other side of the world.
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