While Opportunity Affords...

whether its a hug,flowers,a text,a thank-you,a smile,we'll take it,right, moms?(and dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, spouses, etc.)any day of the weekany time of the year💝 and, while we have the opportunityin like measure let's give to our moms(and dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, spouses, etc.)what we appreciate receiving...tokens of love Happy 26th birthday, Matt(with celebrations better late than never) Waiting for Uncle Matt to say.... OKAY! Blow!!! Happy Birthday to youLittle Big Boy is two!(whenever Little Big Boy's  mommy asked what kind of birthday cake he would likehis reply was quick and to the point, 'Candy!!' 😅😂💖 In the past week we've celebrated a few birthdays and a few mothers...Each celebration's joy over-shadowed with the awarenessof a grief-stricken family in our neighborhoodwho recently lost 'mother' without warningon their way home from a day spent together.These things should serve as sacred remindersto love while opportunity affords... (yes, every 'howling' bit of it, some with laughter, some with tears 😅) in tot's defense, he just got pulled from playing golf with a set he just received for his birthday Here's to the beginning of a lifetime of 'looking for the ball!' While opportunity affords occasion to love as we oughtTo test the reasoning that lords over empires of want-prone thoughtWhile we are able to partake of moments shaping What Has BeenWhile love allots hope and heartache and all its tender points betweenWhile give-and-take are running rifeLet's make the most of love and life While celebrating motherhood and everyone that makes Her thusWhile learning to love as we should amidst the humanness of 'us' While weathering (but by God's grace) the rise and fall of highs and lowsWhile ever-approaching the place we all will face; life's curtain-closeWhile have-and-hold unfolds its leaseLet's cherish every masterpiece While laughter spills lyrical thrills and we embrace the gift of 'touch' While we encounter clash of wills because human nature is suchWhile years estrange each brief What Is, while leaving so much still to teach  While we shoulder imperfect bliss before it slips beyond our reachLet's taste simple pleasures with loveWhile God refills Time's treasure-trove While mercy meets us where we are and grants fresh opportunity While we are never very far from fond farewells waiting to beWhile growing older with each breath that draws closer dust-and-ash dues Let's live today's prelude to death as if love has no time to lose Before its sorrowing tears pourLet's love now, like never before Let's evaluate moment-artthen take each gift of love to heart Janet~ ...and last but not least, our master chef! Yesterday morning the service was opened with one of my favorite Psalms-16... Preserve[] me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,“You are my Lord,My goodness is nothing apart from You.”3 As for the saints who are on the earth,“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,Nor take up their names on my lips. 5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;You []maintain my lot.6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;My []heart also instructs me in the night seasons.8 I have set the Lord always before me;Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;My flesh also will []rest in hope.10 For You will not leave my soul in []Sheol,Nor will You allow Your Holy One to []see corruption.11 You will show me the path of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.