Party

Today my home was filled with the happy sounds of a number of little girls. They were dressed in an array of beautiful "princess" gowns and they laughed and giggled and asked hesitantly for more pink lemonade and said thank-you-for-the-cake as they pushed their chairs away from the table.

My two boys gallantly joined them in tunics and breastplates, and Nana & Papa also graced our table and home, kindly donning crowns and castle garb for the fine occasion: my oldest daughter's sixth birthday celebration.

Ohmygoodness, ohmygoodnes! she exclaimed as she opened several gifts, all of which went very well with the little girl princess theme: dolls and hair ties and bubble bath and chocolate and princess story books.

And then they rode bicycles and shared toys and gave each other wagon rides and pushed back strands of hair that covered their eyes as they gave themselves to Play. The boys even acted out a battle at one point!

The party came to a close and the Head Servant (aka "Daddy") escorted our lovely guests home. I set about the simple clean up process of gathering new things, wiping down tables, washing up dishes, and sweeping the floors. And I thought to myself that it is a true joy to consider the memories I get to help make for my children.

Prayerfully, for the other children who happen upon us, too.

I think about the men and ladies these children will grow up to be. I think about how amazing it is that these simple acts of baking a cake and sharing it, setting the table with pretty plates and napkins, preparing little games and small prizes, can help shape a value system that says that people-- lives-- are important and worth our effort and celebration. It seems so small, and perhaps it will all be just a vague memory in the grand scheme of things. I don't know.

But these little opportunities for investment are all around me, and sometimes even  though they don't look like much altogether on their own, I do know that added up, they mean a lot.

A whole lot.

Anyway, it was such a pretty day and lovely party. It might have been for Bronwyn, but I had fun, too! And Bronwyn got her very own 18" Gotz doll, which has been quite the source of joy for both her and me this evening!