Relationships

I am in the midst of creating a post for Gabriel's first birthday (coming soon to a blog near you).

But, I just got to thinkin...

His birthday this week began with me singing to him, while we were still in bed - I will never forget it. Just the stillness of that moment, and him not really understanding what I was singing to him, but knowing it was a special moment. He is such a sweet little boy. Big-little boy, I mean. LOL

As I was making breakfast for my houseful o' kids, I was chatting with my best friend via text-messaging. We were reminiscing when Gabriel was born. She wanted so badly to be there for the birth, but it didn't work out. But she was holding Gabriel when he was less than 24 hours old (and brought me some Twix, let's not forget!). She had just found out she was expecting her sweet James, who is now already with our Lord Jesus. It was such a happy day.

Fast forward back to his first birthday, and do you know, of oodles of family - grandparents, step-grandparents, uncles and aunts, and great-aunts and -uncles, how many recognized his special day? As the day came to a close, I realized not one single person had called or sent a card. Gabriel doesn't care, he's too little to even know it's his birthday, but we noticed. Sure we're having the party in a couple of weeks, but really - not one?

Today I was reading this article, and it just hammered it home. This life is supposed to be about *relationships*. That is why we were created, after all. Relationships. God is relational, and desired to have more relationships, and so He created this amazing world and humans with the ability to choose to love Him back. It was a good reminder, as I often am reminded, to be ever-so-focused on developing strong relationships. Especially with Brian and with our children. I look at each sweet face looking back at me and remind myself how much I need to know that little person. I *should* know them better than they know themselves, or at least I should try. Too many parents today, and for the last several generations, just go on. They have kids and go on with their lives as if the kids are just an extra commodity to work in. We are committed to changing that cycle; to passing on something lasting - a deep, loving relationship. I hope and pray we succeed - my kids, and their kids, and their kids...sure will be worth the extra time effort!

~Lindsay