Happy Father's Day.

(For music, hit play -------------------->)


This past weekend, we roadtripped our way back to our hometown near Cleveland, Ohio.  We were there to celebrate a very important day...and a very important man.

His name is Dan Humphrey Sr.  He was the proud Papa of 5 kids and 8 grandkids.  He graduated to Heaven this January on no other than Dream Big Day (Martin Luther King Jr. Day).  Before he learned to fly, he had been planning a Lamb Roast.  He bought the grill--had it sitting on his back porch for months--had looked up recipes, planned a menu, and made the guest list.  His ipad was his companion in his lists of ideas, directions, and specifications.

Just before he passed, he made sure that we all knew about having this Lamb Roast.  And even hours before passing, he gave Dan Jr. a candid conversation about his hopes of the fulfillment of this grand event.  When we lost him later that night, we knew that there would be, NO DOUBT,  a lamb roast.

And, so, the planning began.  Trips to West Side Market in Cleveland, a trip to the butcher, and five hundred trips to Walmart for ice, Diet Coke, and beer.

As the plans unfolded, so did this song.  I kept hearing it on the playlist as we soaked up the sun, kissed sweaty babies, and watched the grandkids "swim" in the ice buckets.  This song was so "him".

I will never forget the moment I saw him for the first time after his passing.  As we each took our turns stepping up to hold his hand, I felt the most glorious presence with us.  It was as if he was there, passing out gifts to each one of us. And he had picked them out specifically.  Whether talents he was bestowed with, the character that he had, or the prayers that he had and was currently praying.  They were downloaded to each of us--just the way he wanted.

Since then, I have spent time opening my gifts.  In my time of remembrance of his life, I have been spurred on to move more into the piter paters of my heart, into the creativity that he so encouraged me in.  He was an avid blog reader of mine, bought me my first cricut crafting machine, and also a giant variety pack of sharpie markers that have been my writing companions for the last four years.

There are times that I know he's watching.  Who gives a gift without watching the receiver open it up?  That's the best part about presents!

So, this past Sunday, we said our thank you's.  And honored his request for the backyard Lamb Roast on Georgia Ave. And though a spinning lamb was a little scary for some of us, we each partook.  I could just hear him up there, "Oh, you gotta taste this.  Did you taste this?  It's so good, just taste this!"  The chef that he was couldn't help but share the goodness of a delicious spread of food.

If he had still been with us, we could have easily shook our head "no" at taking a piece of that little lamb, not meeting his request.  But this time, we couldn't pass it up. Even Ella had a spread on her high chair, relishing in the taste of her Papa's dream fulfilled.

Fathers.


Sure are grateful for them.  On Earth and in Heaven.


So, here's to you, Papa Hump! Happy Father's Day!



(corresponding song: Learning to Fly by Tom Petty)

Co-Creating

(Playlist changed how it works.  If you want my corresponding song, you'll have to click play). ---------->



You know what I love most about creativity?

The co-creating part. The partnership. The community, if you will.

I love the end product, too.  Something beautiful and attractive to look at, or to read, or to feel.  But even more than that, whenever I look back into the process of creativity, I just love that....the process.

I'm currently writing a book....or two.  And an essay.  And though at times, I get myself caught up in "I should really just do one of these at a time," I like the mess of several pages and books and essays all around me.  I like the opportunity to be with God through writing.  To create something, with Him, that is new, unique, and a physical manifestation of "us".  Kind of like the feeling you have when you become a parent.  It is absolutely mind-blowing when you and the love of your life create a human being with parts of your DNA, your personality, your gifts.

Co-creating.

When I write or dance or act or whatever, it's the same way.  A partnership.  An expression of Him and me...an outflow of what is currently at large in my life.  It can be funny or sad or reflective or light-hearted; whatever it is, it just flows.  There is no pretense or strife or restlessness.  Just rest......and also exhilaration. A paradox, but true.

I find that for me, as I create, my emotions settle and my mind is more clear.  I have more patience.  I have more energy.  I have more joy.

And when I don't, I feel......well, constipated. Frustrated easily.  Not patient. Lacking joy.

I was reading through my journal from around 4 years ago.  In it, I had listed that I dreamed of a time when I could be a home with my kids while also working on a book, doing voice over work and other freelance "creative" projects.  At the time I wrote this, I was in a really stressful job--not feeling fulfilled in my work--yet moving through a lot of, um, emotional healing.  As I flipped that page and read my list of desires, I teared up.  Not only because I was soooooo very thankful for my current circumstances, but mostly because I felt really cared for and nurtured.  The years where the locusts took their turns eating had been turned around.  The pruning brought me right smack dab into the middle of my dreams.  And, the Creator of me, was there in the midst.  Almost like a chessboard.  He'd take a turn, I'd take a turn, He's take a turn.....and checkmate!

Creativity nurtures my spirit.  It is self care.  It brings wholeness.  And out of it, the results are endless.  How long have we all been staring at Mona Lisa? Or the Colosseum? Or watching Shirley Temple dance? Or gawking at the Grand Canyon? Or cooing over a newborn?

It's healing.  And beautiful.

All that to say, I hope you find yourself enveloped in a lavish bounty of refreshment today.  That your spirit would be nurtured and cared for in whatever creative way you enjoy........



(corresponding song Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) by Louis Armstrong)

3 Steps.

Ella took 3 steps on her own this weekend.

Yes, 3 steps!

Those of you who are mamas know the feeling I got in my stomach.  Sheer joy.  Pure I'm-not-sure-how-much-more-I-could-be-proud-of-you.  David and I clapped and cheered like she had just broken a ribbon with her belly while crossing a marathon finish line.

It got me to remembering when she was just a tiny dancer in my belly.  I used to sing this Elton tune to her while she danced and danced, poking her little foot out enough for me to push back on it with my fingers.  Then, she'd move some more...responding to the touch.

In her short 15 months, I don't know that I've ever said "I love you" more in my life.  Prophesied nearly 50 times before her grand entrance into this form of life, she was the divinely planned fruit that transformed me into a mama.  David contests to that fact that he actually made me a mama; well noted, he wins on a technicality.  But this tiny dancer, she has transformed us both.

We still go into her room every night to watch her sleep.  We just can't help ourselves.

We've watched more Veggie Tales than I ever knew existed.  We've wiped more tears, giggled more giggles, and sang songs more loudly that we ever thought we would enjoy.  And, oh my goodness, this is just the beginning.  Oh, the life....

Ella June bug, you little love, you.

She's ventured with us to Washington D.C. and to NYC, to O-H-I-O, and soon to the Gulf of Mexico.  Our traveling companion, and our most beloved achievement.  Nothing is more creative than the sculpting of a human being.

And nothing is more humbling and endearing than a miniature of yourself...flesh of your own flesh.  Another legacy in the lineage of our family tree.  A legacy that she gets to live. And who knows where those dancing feet with take her?  The steps ordained before her and the good news that will be carried from the twinkle in her toes.

Beyond amazing.

Way to go, baby girl! May your dancing feet take you through the heights and the depths of Love.  May every step stepped and every dance danced be marked by the contagious joy that is you.  Be forever blessed in your comings and goings; may your walk be steady and may grace and elegance always trail behind you.



I love you forever and always.....

(corresponding song: Tiny Dancer by Elton John)