Friday, August 23, 2013

Five Minute Friday: Last

Every Friday for nearly three years writers have gathered here for a kind of free write flash mob. We all spend five minutes writing on the same topic for just five minutes. And then we link up at Lisa-Jo Baker's site to share our thoughts.  Today's prompt is Last. Here we go:

The forks sang out as they were passed around the table and little bodies fidgeted in the chairs too big for them as we ate our last dinner together before school started and I had to share my children with too many people and allow them to have adventures where I wouldn’t be there to feel their playful hands slip into mine from time to time. It was the end of our last day of summer. We indulged in too much t.v. and a lot of free time with our friends. It was the last day of freedom before homework and bedtimes would for the first time, strangle our days and add hurry to them that we have never known. It was my last chance to tell them to remember who they are. I told them that no matter what happened to remember where the belong, remember what they were called to. They don’t have to look too far. I reminded them of why they bear the names that they do. We described the meanings and how each name we handed them was purposeful. We laughed and smiled and enjoyed. Then that hurry caught up to us and I rushed my daughter, budding with so much maturity and beauty, off to her 7th grade open house. I enjoyed the last bedtime routine with them. And closed my eyes that night, knowing that in the morning I would open them to so many firsts.

Ready to Go!!

Walking to the Bus


First Day of Preschool

Five Minute Friday

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful! My little girl is only 2 months old, so we're still in the throes of firsts, but I know that the lasts are coming soon - and you've chosen to see them in such positive light!

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    1. Yes, it goes by so quickly. Every last is always a door into wonderful firsts and you have many ahead of you. Thank you for stopping by!

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  2. This is such a sweet and beautifully written post.

    Blessings to you!
    Amy Lynne
    www.liveabundantlynow.com

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    1. Thank you for visiting. It is always an encouragement to hear from different bloggers. Blessings to you to!

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  3. hello FMF neighbor. I just realized that we have written together before, at Concrete Words (I saw some of your links on the page next to this box). Fantastic. I loved the word pictures you drew. Felt drawn in to this time around the table. I also loved how you drew the connection between last moments together and the new day dawning with firsts. Sometimes I think that the lasts aren't as evident sometimes and yet we definitely know when we encounter firsts, so good to reflect on moments that are precious but passing in anticipation. I love that you were spending time reminding your child who they were and WHOSE they are. I am reading a book by Dan Allender called 'to be told' and the chapter I'm on speaks about the names that God has called us to. Its fascinating. thank you for reiterating that for me in my life. I am blessed to hold a name that means 'Gracious gift of God'...and sometimes I don't always step into that name. Thank you for reminding me that it is an honor that has been bestowed upon me by my parents. Keep writing dear friend...you have been gifted. Janel (viepourcettetemp.wordpress.com)

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    1. Wow, thank you for such insightful comments. I have been so amazed how God took 5 names that were simply ideas at one point, and has created such wonderful, energetic, emotion stuffed fulfillments of that idea of His. I had not heard of the book you mentioned, but I will certainly be looking into it. Dan Allender is a favorite author of mine. Isn't it so true that some days can be such a struggle to step into our given names. I too am learning this lesson. It's encouraging to hear I'm not alone on the journey. I am so glad we were FMF neighbors. I hope Concrete Words gets going again. Perhaps I'll see you there soon!

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  4. Oh, Karin, what tender mama love packed into this post of just five minutes. Your heart overflows with it, and it makes me believe your kids will walk in that knowledge all their days, through these hallways and all these new routines. Praying for them and you right now. How is it going?

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    1. Thank you for your prayers. It is a season of sad right now for me, but much like rain nurtures a garden, though it limits what you can do in it for a time, this sorrow is God soaked and grace laden and long time coming to a heart that spent most of its days shut down. I am learning to abide. And my prayer is that spring will reveal the fruit of this difficult season. Again, thank you for your kind words.

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