life as grace

My desk calendar's entry for today is a Frederick Buechner quotation about listening to our lives, because at the "holy and hidden heart" of it all, we will discover that "all moments are key moments and life itself is grace." But sometimes it's a whole lot harder to listen to the meaning of our lives, and sometimes it seems a whole lot more complicated to try to find that grace. Thank you, Mom, for helping us to listen so much more attentively. Thank you for communicating your love for us through your beautiful smiles, gentle touch, and deep thoughtful eyes.

Mom and Dad, thank you for the grace of your life together, for the way that you have always inspired us, and continue to inspire us, with a vision of true love and faithful service.


Meghan's stained-glass creations brightening up Mom's room with light-catching symbols of God's grace and faithfulness.


There is a sign in Mom's nursing home that says something like, "You are not clients in our work place; we are guests in your home." The staff all seem to exemplify this gentle courtesy and gracious helpfulness. Just as Mom was about to take her daily nap, one of the nurses brightened up her day by bringing a little kitten in to say hello. A delightful grace-moment in our day!


Mom was so happy to be surrounded by her children as we gave thanks for God's grace and celebrated a belated Thanksgiving together.