The End of a Charming Era

Linking today with:

SIX WORD SATURDAY -- Describe Your Life In Six Words

I had no idea the first time I heard of Harry Potter, the impact a silly little book, about an 11-year-old orphan, would have on my family. I had no idea that these fictional characters would capture my heart. In fact, I was in the opposite camp at first. Yep, I was on the "Anti Harry Potter Bandwagon" in the late 90's.

But, then Emily's teacher began to read the books to her class. Uh-oh! Parent Alert!  Parents, at our church, began to ask David his opinion on the books. Yikes! Youth Pastor Alert! So, we were placed in the position to read them and to *gasp* think for ourselves. 

I fought it at first. There were a lot of rumors about the "darkness" that would be coming in the books as the series progressed. But, eventually, I unlocked the door to the cupboard under the stairs and I gave Harry free reign to the household. I never found a spell in any of the books, and the themes were of friendship and love. In the end, it was fear that kept people in hiding and the only thing that the Dark Lord could not conquer was Love. 

I am so thankful for the series of events that lead our family down the path to Platform 9 and three quarters. It has been a thrilling journey that our family has shared together (with the likes of that wonderful trio and their faithful friends and disparaging foes). This 7 book/8 movie series came about at a time in the lives of my children when they were just grasping with their own definitions of ethics, morals and principals and we were able to engage in some great discussions about slavery, racial prejudices, and good verses evil.

Not to mention, from our time at Hogwarts, we learned that owls are a great way to deliver messages, if your rat lives for 13 years--have it checked for spells, and, finally, when traveling by flue--enunciate. It was just fun. And, is that so scary?

Family Reunion Today

my youngest and myself

The month of June will mean a lot of different things to my family, especially this year. With Emily's wedding happening just two weeks ago and all the preparations that were required to make it an unforgettable evening, our minds were immersed in ivory lace, purple hydrangeas and tuxedo rentals. Within days of the knot being tied, David and Austin climbed aboard an airplane headed for Zimbabwe, Africa. My nest, which was the bustling hub of wedding preparations, boxes for moving, garage sale items for fundraising and suitcases for travel seemed to be transformed overnight into a peaceful and spacious domicile for the two birds who remained.

Adam and I have done this before, so we are much more adept at it this second time through. Last summer, David traveled with Emily and Austin to the same continent to minister to the people in the same villages. It was at that time that I learned what Adam and I would have to overcome if we were to be left to our own accord. 

The good news is we both love fish sticks and watermelon. Shopping for Adam and I can be tricky. Adam likes to eat processed food...and so do I. But, he also likes to eat watermelon, grapes and apples. When I hit the stores, I could easily fill the basket with foods that he and I would both enjoy and I wouldn't have to hear from the health conscious people who live in our home--because they aren't around. But, I know that since I am "the mother", I have to choose instead to add to our bounty some wonderful fruit. I have to opt for better food choices for the two of us. 

The bad news is that we are both completely comfortable being alone. We can ride in the car and not talk. We can go for long stretches of time without too much conversation. Like Anne Lamott says in her book bird by bird, "Left to its own devices, my mind spends much of its time having conversations with people who aren't there", I can spend an entire day without talking to anyone and have plenty of conversations. Adam is like his mother. And so the challenge becomes to talk. To share. Open up and grow closer. This year we are doing better than last year. Perhaps that is because he isn't as dependent on me for simple things, like transportation. His ability to control a tiny portion of his world seems to be drawing him back around to me when he is stuck with me for later part of the day.  Perhaps it is because I have made efforts to be interested in what he is interested in. I know all about Game of Thrones...(my favorite character being Daenerys Targaryen, {aka-Khaleesi} she's so strong and reminds me of myself when I was 17 and ruled the land with my 3 pet dragons!) and I even sat through Green Lantern.

So, we are over half way through our 16 days home alone, and it appears that we will come away closer than before everyone left us here in our little nest to tend to the cats and the dog and summer school. And, having had two summers in a row where June was my time with Adam, I am so thankful for the timing and the ways of the Lord. He had given us what we could handle and allowed us to not only survive--but to thrive.