04/07/2007

My son: a gold medalist! Yes, it's true. Today Nathan has proudly worn his gold medal around his neck everywhere he's gone. At this morning's Easter Eggstravaganza, Nathan showed exceptional prowess in the toddler Egg Run. The objective was to run from a starting line to a finish line while holding a plastic (good idea! not too messy) egg on a spoon. The first person to cross the line would win. I wish I could say something fabulous like, "Nathan carefully balanced the egg on the spoon, which he held delicately between his thumb and pointer fingers, as he ran pointedly toward the finish line." The reality is, he held the egg in one hand, the spoon in the other, and was the only child who budged. When you are 17 months old, that is medal-worthy.

I had been skeptical of participating in the 0-2yr Egg Hunt. I really figured children in this age bracket wouldn't catch on and would wander aimlessly while their parents hunted down eggs to fill their baskets. I took Nathan out to a large field that was literally covered in plastic eggs (where is the hunt in that, I ask?). I picked up one purple egg and placed it in his Easter bag. No sooner did I set the example than he grabbed the bag from me and headed off on his own, collecting eggs as he went. He brought me the bag when it was full and I emptied it into my purse so he could continue hunting. It was at this point that I noticed something unusual: Not only had Nathan been perceptive enough to grasp the concept, but he had chosen to hunt exclusively for purple eggs. I tried to pick up other colored eggs to explain to him that ANY egg was fair game, but it wasn't until the very end of the hunt that he relinquished his claim on the purple eggs and stooped to pick up two red ones. What a silly boy! Bystanders stopped to watch my medal-donning boy-wonder as he raced through the field selectively picking and choosing his eggs. Some commented to me, "When my son was that age he just stood here and didn't know what to do!" I respond with something smart like, "Yes, well, your son probably doesn't have an IQ of 403 now does he?" or "Nathan is planning to attend Harvard next semester." Not really. I just shrugged. I don't know why he caught on...he just did.

Well, it has been another fulfilling and eventful day. We had Fajita Fritata for dinner (delicioso!) and I just stuck an Apple Strawberry pie in the oven. The dogs are calm and Nick and Nathan are running an errand at the store. Tomorrow morning we will attend an Easter service at Bridgeway Fellowship and share a nice lunch. My Grandpa Durling is still in the hospital. I'm reminiscing about Easter's long ago when I would wear new dresses with matching hats and we would visit Grandpa and Grandma's church. We would all share a roast beef dinner and Grandpa would lead us all in singing "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow". I'm aware of how blessed I am...and I'm aware that I have no one but God to praise. As for my Grandpa, I pray that God would grant him peace this Easter. One of my favorite songs ends by saying: "We are blessed beyond what we could ever dream in abundance or in need, and if you never grant us peace. But, Jesus, would You? Please."