Monthly Archives: June 2016

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COUSIN!!!

She called her “Cousin.”

Not by her name, “Hannah,” but by her relationship. Like she calls us Mama and Papa and Oma, Hannah was Cousin.

And she said it a lot.

“Cousin!”

“Cousinnnnn!”

“COUSIN!”

Savannah adored the time with Hannah, her 14 year-old cousin visiting from South Carolina. They swam, they jumped on the trampoline, they played chase around the kitchen.

Savannah called to her cousin with such love, such longing – and she does the same thing with other people in her life.

Our new neighbor is “Neighbor.”

“Hi Neighbor! Do you want to come over and play?”

Her gymnastics teacher is “Coach.”

“I can do it by myself, Coach!”

The terms coming out of a three-year-old are endearing. Adorable. Cute.

Although even all grown up I love it when Brian introduces me as “My bride” or calls me “My love.”

It made me wonder – what if I did the same thing? Addressed people solely based on their relationship to me?

Friend, professional hair fixer, acquaintance, pain in my tushie…

God does it. Not the pain in the tushie part, but calls us by our role in his eyes.

Beloved

Son

Daughter

Bride

Treasure

Apple of my eye

Family

So that’s my random thought for the day, friends. You are his beloved, his treasure. Defined by love. He’s calling you.

Beloved! 

My son!

My daughter!

Rest in your name on his lips, your meaning to his heart.

You are his.

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Give up, little mouse! It’s hopeless! Or is it?

The little guy wouldn’t give up. Brian, Hannah (my niece) and I watched as the tiny mouse reached from underneath the fireplace to grab one of Savannah’s balls. He pulled, he yanked and it just wouldn’t fit.

I filmed him. Added some goofy commentary. We laughed harder (see the 20 second video Here).

That little mouse tried to pull that ball through for a good 30 minutes, convinced that either the size of the ball or the solidity of the fireplace would eventually give.

It didn’t.

I kept laughing, Brian laughed, Hannah laughed. And eventually we went to bed, promising to buy a mouse trap in the morning.

This morning I woke up and the ball was gone. Gone. That little mouse figured it out. I have no idea how, no idea when, but while we were laughing at his foolishness, he was figuring it out. Darn if that little fighter didn’t make it happen.

I underestimated that critter.

And he taught me something.

Never give up.

You just might find a way.

No matter what big humans might be laughing at your efforts.