Blessing Boutique

Twelve weeks ago, our little daughter arrived to join the family. Oh we love her so! I am so often in awe of how she got here, and how her body grows and her self develops. It's totally amazing and I have very little power over the process. I watch in wonder. 

Yes, I tend and care for her and feed her and play with her and teach her, but so many people have cooked for me, supplying what I need to feed little m.b. ....and her mind and heart and body respond to the love we (and others!) pour in. How does that work??!

One of the ways we've been loved and supported in this has been through materials needed for a baby.

In a summer when I had no time to shop for anything, we were lent/given/gifted with almost EVERYTHING we needed...including clothes for a constantly changing Mama and baby! 

The idea for this post comes partially from my Dad, whose other name for Goodwill was "My Favorite Boutique".

Welcome to Blessing Boutique! See captions for the fashion providers...

Apron (baby protector) by Corinna
Onsie by Maria
Shirt by Kristin
Sweats by Wendy
Photo...by me

Shirt and Onsie by Maria
Jeans by Wendy
Hat by Laura

Shirt by Maria
Skirt by Meg
Onsie by Maria
Jumpy seat in background by Laura

Tank by Meg
Onsie by Maria
Purple blanket by Christina
Bulb syringe by Anita

Carrier by Wendy
Onsie by Maria
Hat by Laura
Ring by Mark

Blanket by Elizabeth
Shirt by Wendy
Capris by Anita
Nursing Tank by Kristin
Shoes by Carol
Diaper Bag by Gina
Prefold diapers by Wendy

Onsie by Kristin
Table by Lauren
Railing patterns by Meg
Cloth wipes by Laura
Wipe dispenser by Anita (homemade!)
Dry-pad by Laura
Co-sleeper by Wendy

Knit blanket by Barbara
Patterned white blanket by Gina
Sweats by Wendy
Leaf by Silver Maple

Shirt by Wendy
Onsie by Maria
Sunshine by God

Socks by Mary
Sweats and hat by Goodwill
Sweatshirt by Mark
Bouncy seat by Wendy
Baking lesson...by me

Sweater by Old favorite
Shirt by Carol
Pants from my old closet!
Polar Bear jacket by Aaron
Pants by Bridget
Blanket by Wendy
Sheep skin (sitting on) by Julia and Craig
Rainbow elephants toy by Gina

These are just a few of the people who have blessed us in this new venture. For this I'm giving thanks!! 

A Memorial to My Dad

Early one morning in the week after Dad's death, I crawled out of bed in the dark, unable to sleep, with the following thoughts unfurling in my head. One by one, other siblings emerged out of sleepless beds to process our new reality. Here are the words I gave at his memorial service:

Today I wear black because the loss of a parent leaves an irreplaceable ache in life. For my Mom and Dad over the last 11 ½ years, there have been many, many losses. I watched them lose earthly dreams, joys, pleasures, freedoms, innocence, identities, opportunities, status and more.

However, while Mom and Dad were plunged into this life-changing trial of unending lurches, suffering, trudgery, loneliness, and blockages, I marveled at the new life--True Life--that they together and individually allowed to spring up in them. And for this reason today I also wear green.

I watched my parents grow- not stagnate--in their empty nest years. In the crucible of suffering, the Spirit of Life fruited in their lives and healed others. Their capacity and patience and compassion grew to unspeakable endurance. They used honesty to diffuse the anger and the power of God kept them when disappointments were overwhelming. The web of love and the family of God became deeply precious to them.

Now, to know my Dad, you might have found him to be more comfortable 'outside the box' whenever possible and all his children got that trait 'fair and square' (pardon the pun). So, not to his glory, but to honor his character, I must say that he lived that way to the death. The surgeons, oncologists, doctors, and Hospice nurses shook their heads over and over with this phrase: “He has defied everything we expected. He is not a typical case.” A significant root of his tenacious health came from my Mom and her unflagging loyalty and love in nourishing him through his constantly changing eating abilities for more than a decade.

Honesty is not always appreciated at first and likewise my Dad's frankness, but he delivered with love and respect for human life—never maliciously, often with humor--and in the end, it was refreshing in a world where cover-ups and empty pleasantries are the superficial culture. He would hardly spend a dime to polish his own image, but rather he saved to provide for Mom and us and to give copiously and joyfully. I'll never know how much he earned because he intentionally never told us, instead teaching us to live within our means, to be grateful, and to love to share.

In the last days, Dad's tenderness exuded to his family and anyone who came to care or visit. For the 8 days when he could no longer stand on his own 2 feet, he was fully aware of his condition and the need for complete care. He knew each of us by voice and face, could do mental math and ponder his kidney function and tell us how to fix the mechanical bed. He remembered family jokes and could concoct in his mind flavors that would taste good in the ice chips he sucked on. Even so, he faced each step of his failing functions with grace, humility and appreciation for care. It was an incredible privilege to care for my Dad and to the very last hours, it seemed that his life showered us back with gifts.

When Dad's body died, it took some time to accept that he was suddenly gone and if the house weren't so full of family, the lack of his presence would be achingly real. But as the people came to pick up his body, donated for improving the health of others, the birds were singing in the dawn of a new day and  it was clear that Dad was at peace and no longer in his body shell.

The reality of losing Dad will break over us in the days and years to come, a season that none of us wants to face. But when I stop to realize it, the cancer that changed the course of his life and ruined his GI system, when it finally stopped Dad's heart, that cancer died! Hah! The cancer is dead...but Dad, set free, is more alive than ever! What a fabulous, miraculous, mysterious reality. Hallelujah.