Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ~Romans 12:10
When we arrive at Sarah and John's home, Virginia greets us with this drawing featured above, and it's obvious she's put so much thought and effort into crafting it. We are, of course, beyond delighted and honored. We've missed her more than words can express, yet she has tried to communicate the vacuum that she, too, has experienced in her heart with this tangible reassurance.
Virginia's favored channel of communication is art, but mine is words. Here is the poem that bubbles up after receiving this special gift.
I've waited, counting days
Until you come and hold
Enfold me in your arms
As we did for years
When we lived close
And never gave a thought
To separation; distance
Does not define our bond
We are one in heart
We are one in spirit
We are one in love
No, distance will never define us.
Love will.
May you all be surrounded by God's love during the Christmas season and in the New Year.
Amen!
So well put Martha. Distance will never define us...love will. I have a 15 y/o grandson that I miss seeing more often but I'm thinking he would not be on the same wave length as Virginia. :) I sure hope he misses me because I miss him.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he does miss you, Bill! Boys are different, as we both know, and we practically raised Virginia the first five years of her life, so the bond is extremely strong.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How precious and significant - in this day and age - is your love of your family, Martha. I love your poem. Love was communicated. Hugging you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the poem, Diane! Yes, family is everything and I so cherish the bond we have with Virginia.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wonderful poem. Feelings well expressed. Thank you Martha. Your sentiments echo in many hearts.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family great happiness now and always.
God bless you all.
Thanks for your kind words about the poem, Victor. Wishing you and yours all happiness, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh my! Virginia's art talent is superb! What a wonderful picture and it conveys so much love! I think it ought to be framed! And your poem is perfect to go along with it. Frame them together and make a copy of both for Virginia to keep always. Very special indeed.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea, Pam! I think I'll do just that. :)
DeleteYes, Virginia is quite talented, I agree.
Love and blessings!
Such a sweet picture and poem! God bless you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words, Cheryl!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Both your words and little Miss Virginia's art have melted my heart this morning sweet friend. I see a children's book in your future, and the author and illustrator are well known to one another. :-) God's blessings dear family; and Merry CHRISTmas!
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely a good idea for someday down the road, J. D.! I'll mention it to Virginia when we Face Time today.
DeleteSo very glad the drawing and the poem touched your heart, my friend.
Love and blessings!
That's so precious ... a keeper, for sure. I love what JD's suggested, too. 'Yes' vote from your 'Bama neighbor!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Myra, J. D. has a great idea here. Thanks for the vote of confidence from "Bama," even though I'm still upset they beat Georgia a few weeks ago. Boo! :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Having moved from VA to TN and left so many of our friends and family, spiritual and otherwise, behind, your words resonate in my heart this morning. Indeed, distance doesn't define us and neither does it accomplish the separation that is often attributed to it. Thanks, Martha, for saying it so eloquently.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that this post resonated with you today, Ron. No, distance cannot separate us ultimately from those we love when that love runs so deep. So glad, too, that nothing can separate us from God's unending love.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your poem is lovely. There are no separating boundaries with one you love so dearly. Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nells, for your kind words. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Simple offerings from grandchildren are often the best gifts of all.
ReplyDeleteI second that, Glynn, without reservation.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Boa tarde Martha. Obrigado pela visita e carinho. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho maravilhoso. Desejo muita saúde para você e sua família.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words here, Luiz.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love her art and I love your poem! Amen, amen, amen! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, Terri, you are so kind! Yes, let's utter an "amen" to the beauty that God's love gives to us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen.
ReplyDeleteAnd again, I say, amen, Regine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteIt sure was wonderful for being able to visit 'in the flesh' and for hugging like before.
Both of us have managed to 'love' across the Oceans and it sure works.
Guess it teaches you how to be strong in Faith!
Hugs,
Mariette
Mariette, being separated by distance does, indeed, teach us how to love and bond beyond the miles. Once God has placed a loved one in our hearts, that strong bond is ever there. I'm just so grateful that He gave Danny and me the opportunity to hug our loved ones in person so recently. I can't thank Him enough!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thanks!
Deleteooo this is so good, Martha. Yes love, love, love. Merry Christmas, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteLove is the message, the moment, the meaning, Jean, that's for sure! We are so treasuring all of our time with family, however brief it was in the perspective of our lives.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amazing blog
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rajani!
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a beautiful poem, Martha! It says it all!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thanks so much, Lulu, I'm glad you liked it. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Enjoy this season Martha, with your precious loved ones!
ReplyDeleteOh, Marja, we had such an incredible visit with the family, creating many lasting memories.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Enjoy this beautiful seasonw ith those you love best. Such a precious share. Thank you for being such a sweet friend. We could use prayers, my sweet AVery has a head cold and must wear the mask all day long and his asthma is absolutely out of control. Thank you as I love you being a prayer warrior. Enjoy your visit and the blessed CHRISTmas holidays. LOVE & PRAYeRS to you too
ReplyDeleteI will most certainly add Avery to my prayer list, Anne - how awful to have to wear a mask all day, especially when one is sick! Hope all clears up quickly.
DeleteYes, we did so enjoy our family time. It came and went so fast, but the memories linger.
Love and blessings!
Amen, Martha. May God's love continue to define who we are, how we communicate, how we share our gifts, how we serve others.
ReplyDeleteI love that Virginia is a creative just like her Grandma. God is so good to have blessed us with grandchildren. Our hearts overflow, even if we can't be together as much as we'd like.
Merry Christmas to you, to yours, cherished friend. I am so grateful to walk this journey with you.
Grandchildren most certainly are a blessing from God, Linda. Yes, if I had my druthers, I'd see my grands every day, but sadly, that's not in the cards. I'll just be content in and thankful for the time we so recently did share together.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours, sweet friend!
Love and blessings!
SO touching, Martha. I pray distance does not define the bond between us and one of our granddaughters who lives seven (large) states away. The other two live near by and we see them quite often, but we both know how quickly they grow and who knows where they will end up? With you I praise God for every opportunity to enjoy their company and make memories together.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I'm so glad to know that you have some grands nearby - I was so spoiled for years with my daughter and her husband living close to us. Still, it doesn't stop us from missing those who are farther away. Seven states away is nothing to sneeze at! Needless to say, FaceTime is a God-send. Not the same as in person visits, but certainly a stop gap. And yes, they grow up way too fast. Can we simply place bricks on their heads? :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, Martha! I just love the beautiful bond you have with the girls. This is so touching.
ReplyDeleteWishing you, Danny, and your precious family a blessed Christmas!
Beckie, it is a bond that cannot be broken. I'm just sorry that we are so many miles away from one another right now. Yet, I'm so grateful for our ability to visit during Thanksgiving, and the memories will last a lifetime.
DeleteThank you for your beautiful note on your Christmas card; know I feel like I know you in person, too, though we've never met. God's plans will tell the tale.
Love and blessings!