A huge change is unfolding in our house. This morning our five oldest children, grades one thru seven, left for school.
Yes, there were lots of feelings in the basket this morning when I saw them off. There is a profound joy in seeing children grow up—climbing out of babyhood, getting into the busy toddler stage, and finally being grown up enough to think for themselves and be off to first grade. Wow, it just makes me smile. Each stage has its own demands, training aspects, and untold blessings, none quite like seeing a child ready for first grade.
This morning after a last prayer for the teachers and children on their first day of school, they were off. I turned back to my house, Daniel wasn’t there as he was in bygone years. It was empty, and yet it was alright because I knew it was God who takes care of us no matter what.
I scooped little Joshua and hugged him to myself. “I’m eager to spend time with you when the others are at school,” I told him. (In our community we have only a couple weeks preschool or kindergarten at school, the rest is done by the mothers at home.)
There will be another two years until he starts school, and by then, Julia will be out of school. I dream of those years with Julia at home with me. The sky is the limit to what a willing girl her age can learn. Sewing, baking, cooking, scrapbooking, and helping other moms are among her favorites these past months.
So much for that dreaming, for today Joshua and I are enjoying time back in the cabin Daniel built the last winter before he went to heaven. While I enjoy interacting with others, there are those times I just need time with God or space to catch up with all of you. Those are the times Joshua and I will head for the cabin for complete quietness. The little cabin with a bright red roof is nestled on back, beyond the shop, overlooking a wooded ravine with a creek at the bottom. There is no phone back here and no people driving past. Many times in recent years it has been my refuge to go spend time with God.
The cabin is fixed up with a tiny kitchen, a living room area, a small bedroom and bath. The upstairs loft has an extra mattress and beanbag. Each corner of the cabin has its own memories of times spent there.
As a family we used it a couple times with Daniel. After he passed it didn’t seem right to enjoy it without him; bit by bit I was able to let go and let God be God, even of the cabin and our time spent there. I do not cease to marvel how he has a way of taking care of those hard things I once felt like I could not face.
Besides spending time with his family Daniel was also the type who enjoyed good food and took notice of what he ate. Having a good snack with a cold drink ranked among his favorites. A little at a time I am learning to do for my children what I so enjoyed doing for him. A couple minutes ago little Joshua and I sat on the floor where he had been putting a puzzle together, and shared a chocolate bar and party mix I had made on the behalf Daniel’s 36th birthday. Thanks to his brother John who gave us a Body Armour to drink on our first day at the cabin.
If you happen to travel through Southeastern Illinois, let me know and we’d enjoy meeting you and showing you around our house and the cabin Daniel made for us.
For today I’ll pass on another recipe Daniel enjoyed. He liked when I’d make it for Sunday noon guests to go with his waffles.
Apple Venison Ring
2 pounds venison or sausage
1/2 cup chopped onions
2 eggs
1 cup grated apples
1½ cups crushed crackers
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke (optional)
Line a ring mold with plastic wrap. Combine all ingredients and press firmly into mold. Chill several hours.
Unmold onto a greased baking sheet with rimmed edges. Remove plastic wrap.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Transfer onto lettuce-lined serving platter and fill with scrambled eggs if desired.
