In thinking about connecting with my grandchildren far away, it has occurred to me that one way to do that is to celebrate the seasons together. With new lil' missy coming to live with my children in England, am thinking about how to reach across the miles, across the continent and the ocean, to be a part of my first-born grandchild's life. And how to extend that, somehow, to others of the next generation as they appear.
Something to hold, I think, that can be accessorized or added to with each new season. A dolly in a pouch, perhaps? Hmmm... A set of washable kikis?
Stories about Family Traditions
What holidays and family celebrations are there? Local culture? Heritage? Hmmm... How to weave all of this into a meaningful -- yet necessarily simple -- series of gifts? How can I best impact my family and touch them in ways that help them sense how important they are and how much they're loved?
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Stories about Memories
What
makes up a memory? Smells, surely -- and each season has its own
signature smells. Smells and tastes! What's cooking? Color cues. Music.
Lighting. Touch and texture. Music and dancing. Symbols and graphics.
Celebrations and traditions. Rhythm and repetition. Readings. Pictures.
Books. Photographs. Movies, even...
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Stories about Seasons
What
makes up a season? Weather, lighting, length of days. Temperature and
humidity. Storm patterns and cloud formations. Wind. Water levels in
rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, oceans. Size of the moon on the horizon.
What are the plants doing? What are the animals and insects doing? What
are the people doing?
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Thus says the LORD,
Stories about our place in the Universe
Thus says the LORD,
“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.
--Jeremiah 6:16 NASB
So,
what all of this amounts to, in terms of gifts to my grandchildren, is a
guideline to include the wonder of Daddy God's creation, our place in
it, and His Word in every seasonal celebration. Which actually brings me
full circle from home schooling when the girls were younger... Hmmm...
