Tucked in between the happy chaos and loud gatherings of the 22nd and the 24th was a quiet reading evening.
It was reminiscent of my childhood: siblings sprawled in various positions between horizontal and vertical, the quiet occasionally punctuated by a chuckle, hum, or gasp. Curt was working late, Carson had taken Noah out to look for who-knows-what. Those of us at home were at home with a book.
Taryn, my daughter-in-law, was reading Kristin Lavransdatter. Collin was chuckling his way through P. G. Wodehouse’s The Heart of a Goof
When the missing men arrived back home we popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Son #2 toasted to God’s goodness in his life: three years of marriage and an inquisitive one year old boy. While Carson was toasting I had a flashback to a day seven years ago when he experienced a rare bout of angst. He knew what he wanted (a family of his own…I believe his words were “a wife, a house and a kid”) but it all seemed so very far off and unimaginable.
His dream was out of my sight too, but I encouraged him to wait and hope…and to work while he waited. Seven years ago I couldn’t give him a snapshot of his life today. But it is glorious to look back and see the gifts, stacked to the ceiling and spilling over, he has been given. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
A Living Pencil 
What a lovely evening! Thank you for writing about Carson’s fulfilled dreams. As the mother of a still-waiting son, I appreciate your testimony to God’s blessings. Merry Christmas, Carol. Sandy
How sweet–and a testament of yours and Curt’s courage, perseverance, love, and spiritual upbringing of your sons. I’m so glad you’re having a lovely Christmas with your family. I’m still cooking, cleaning, wrapping…but it’ll be done and worth it at 5:30 when everyone comes. Love to you on our Savior’s birthday!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
We remember Son #2 also… in San Francisco with Scott. A precocious/precious young man!! We loved him for that but he could exasperate as well. It is fantastic to see the growth of the potential that was there and to see father, husband, and man that he has become. Merry, merry Christmas!!!
God is so good! I hope you had a blessed Christmas with your family, Carol. :)Carrie
I love your story….it makes me smile.
What makes me glad as well is that that group of guys all wanted to get married and have a family, well, except Michael, and he was the first to get married wasn’t he? :0)
Both my grown men have had those same seasons…anxious for The Good Life and needing to just focus on trusting God and putting all of that energy into just being faithful and preparing. It is a blessing when they “get it” and when God Gives it!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!