Easter Joy

We got home on Saturday 

and that gave me time to get groceries

and work through the prep plan embedded in my mind.

 I set tables that night,

because on Easter morning it would be a nice greeting and start
to the afternoon family meal.

 It was fun to check out new blooms in the yard to bring inside.

 We went to church Sunday morning,

they were still dressed accordingly when they came.

And the smiles ... 

well, maybe it's because the hunt was about to begin.

I'm always torn between following them around the yard with my camera (phone)

or just leaving it alone, to fully take in the moments.

But then there are the firsts ...

the first time they recognize what is happening ...

 and the smiles that only pictures truly capture for keeps.

They looked for small treats under bushes, inside bushes, on ledges and everywhere.

Filled baskets were tucked into hedges

(to be fair) declared to be the neighbors hedges. 

Jade found hers under the low swirling branches of  the cedar tree ..

and what this photo conjures up is the memory of her voice 

as she reconized her name on it! 

I wish I could have been everywhere at once.

 Yuriko found hers inside the Camellia bush ...

her first Easter hunt.

 They gathered on the patio to check out their loot.

 In the end, it's like all good things anticipated and planned for -

moments that go by too quickly!

I savor the excitement around the meal,

the comments,

the grands growing older and appreciating time around the table -

telling their own stories and laughing.

I hold dear the spontaneous Easter play on the patio,

in which each child had a willing part ..

accompanied with giggles, forgetting of lines ...

and the biggest bow coming from the smallest person of the lot.

I may never know what parts they will remember one day,

things I may have missed,

but I hope they will always know the faith, hope and love 

we've shared through every season.

♡♡♡

To the Cross

 There's a cross on one of the local hills that gets lit up at night,

shining as a beacon into the valley.

I tried taking a picture at night but, 

even though we could clearly see it with our naked eye,

the phone camera only picked it up as a large light. 

The landscape in this area has a different beauty altogether.

 This is near the parking lot

from where you can see part of the trail heading up.

 A very dry path, winding itself up and across a ridge and then up again.

There could have been snakes,

 but I only saw pretty flowers

blooming in the most unexpected places.

 The view from the top had me contemplating a passage I recently read 

where Jesus looks out over Jerusalem and weeps, saying,

"If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!" 

Luke 19:41.42

How deep the pain, that many of His own people did not recognize Him,
the One they had been waiting for.

May we, who know the whole story,
even like the thief on the cross who acknowledged his wrongs,
recognize our Savior today.
This is the peace that passes all understanding.

Downtown Palm Springs

 We've driven into the Old Palm Springs center a few times this week for dinner.

It's funny the landmarks or places along the way that hold memories ...

a drugstore, a motel, a movie theatre or restaurant now out of business.

We walked the cobbled stone streets

lined with shops, ice cream places and restaurants ...

 

 my eyes drawn to the way they trim the (bearded) palm trees.

Are they still the same trees?

We talk about times spent with our growing family,

from tots to teen-agers to college days,

never dreaming that one day

they would be taking their families here.

One can only think so far ahead.

But now we know.

We're more than a generation older -

we are the old -

sitting on a patio,

enjoying the peace - yet remembering -

 the days we thought would never end.

Oh, What Beautiful Mornings!

As you can see, this is not my usual Fishtrap Creek walk ...

My H and I have been enjoying morning walks 

around the golf course in the desert, these days -

away from the usual. I've been very lazy,

but I wanted to just show you some of the desert beauty again -

so beautiful in it's own way,

Tall floral shoots reaching for the blue sky,

spun cactus balls,

flowers that look like brushes,

another shoot, (taken in a hurry)

a thousand tiny bells,

bushes covered in small, soft petaled flowers,

and one of my favorite -

a blooming cactus ...

all the while teasing me and gently calling me to a beauty
that reminds me of home.

Over the years this place has become like a second home to us.

I tease him about his Palm Springs office,

which I asked permission to use right now.

For a little while it's the best of both worlds.

Happy 13th, Natalie!

Oh the memories tucked in between 

baby bath snuggles

to getting our nails done ...

they fill my heart to overflowing!

Like any grandparent would say,

... it's been a path I never could have dreamed thirteen years ago!

Natalie, you have a joy in your heart,

a twinkle in your eyes, that we pray never goes away.

Your sensitivity,  kindness and generosity 

touch the lives of those around you

and bring blessings to us all.

On this, your birthday, our prayer is that

God will guide and protect you

as you enter the joys and challenges of teen years.

May you always know 

that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

And loved for just the way you are. 

Papa and Mimi 

♡♡♡