Emma

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 189: Today, I am grateful for our Emma.

She changed our world with her birth. She has always been a light in our world. Her observations and views of the world... even as a child... were often witty and wise beyond her years at times. 

Emma was always on my "short list" of girls I would love to have as daughters. She loves books even more than I do. Her vocabulary is huge and always growing. She has her own unique sparkle. And as I always say... I held her first as I was about 4 weeks from delivering Chase when I held her for the first time. She was less than 24 hours old. What a miracle she was... and still is. 

Donna and I were trying to figure out babies at their first Pumpkin Festival. Donna had a whole month more of experience. We had Jill... the expert... to coach us, as Ryan was approaching his first birthday. How have thirty-four years gone by so quickly? 

She loves being a children's librarian. She lights up a room when she reads to the children. She loves adventures with our Chase and fills his days with a sweet partnership. I really could go on all day. One of my favorite years at VBS, she (and her sister, Leah) helped lead the worship and drama. Donna was in charge that year and the time together was so much fun. (Actually, I have quite a few pictures of Chase and Emma during VBS weeks with siblings Walker and Leah, too. I need to try and find them all. It would be a fun collage of images.) 

Not every Mother-in-Love gets the privilege of watching their Daughter-in-Love grow up. We will not take it for granted. To see this amazing woman in every season of her life has been a gift. We laugh when she laughs and we hurt when she hurts. Today, we are are blessed to celebrate her birth. We thank God for the gift of Emma and knowing her for all of her birthdays is such a bonus. 

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." -Psalm 127:3

I am grateful for the daughter Jeff and Donna raised for our son. They raised her in faith, light, truth, and love. They raised her on a farm to love the land. They showed her love for dogs, to appreciate nature, to seek Jesus, and of course... a passion for books. We had very similar childhoods in those aspects. Her roots have given her wings. 

Happy Birthday, Emma. 

Today, I am grateful for Emma.