Gifts

The girls cut bookmarks for Jack.

Jane traces a pattern, pins pieces of scrap fabric. She trims edges -- orange stripes, grey dogs and green mint. I zigzag down uneven sides. Janie pokes pins back into a big strawberry pin cushion.

Then Jack turns 4, waves those orange stripes like a birthday streamer. "For my BIBLE!" he cries and flops the Bible open, squinches that bookmark down to the Bible spine. He slaps it closed, "There."

There. With a grin the morning tumbles to motion as if bookmarks could carry the day.







Gratitude:

145. More watermelon. And how husband towers up juicy red cubes in cereal bowl until I think no more will fit.

146. My newest nephew born healthy and whole.

147. His momma who brings over a brood of boys to play and play and play and my children never think it is enough.

148. How my boy promised, eyes all earnest, that he really did NOT know you're NOT supposed to spit half-chewed sandwich out to impress the guests.

149. Little baby who sleeps on the floor when I forget to whisk her to bed to nap.

150. How husband made a bumper pool table vanish from my schoolroom in exchange for a haircut. And my HUGE smile.