Dorothy

"So what are you going to name your new piano?,"said my first student to play on the new-to-me baby grand piano that had been delivered that morning.  That hadn't even occurred to me but my adult pupil told me many famous musicians often named their instruments and she thought it would be fun if I did the same.

At supper that night I told Jim and the girls what Christine said during her lesson.  My family embraced the idea and began to offer suggestions--silly ones, serious ones and thoughtful ones.  Then I said, "I think we should name her the female name that means, gift of God."

Jim went on a search for the Name Your Baby book.  He soon returned with book in hand.  Flipping through the dog-eared pages of the book, our eyes settled on a name in the D column that meant gift of God.  It was Dorothy.  "Oh Jim,  that's it!!"  With sweet tears rolling down my cheeks I explained to my young daughters that I had one piano teacher from when I was seven years old to when I graduated from high school and her name was Dorothy.  She was a gift from God to me.

And so it was...my light wood Kranach and Bach baby grand piano was given the name Dorothy.

Recently there have been many "Dorothys" in my life.  There has been our neighbor who built the ramps so I could get into our house with a wheelchair.  There has been my friend who comes on Sundays when I can't go to church.  There have been the countless people who have regularly, unceasingly have prayed for Jim and I.  There have been kind church members and friends who have brought us delicious meals.  There have been sisters, brothers and daughters who have called us to check in and encourage us. There have been aunts and dear friends who went shopping for clothes. There have been many loved ones who have come to visit.  There has been a friend who has volunteered to go to the month of training with Jim and I to learn my new dialysis method.  And then my greatest "Dorothy" has been my husband who has cared for my every want, wish and need.

In God's Word it says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above" and "In everything give thanks." So for all my "Dorothy's" I give thanks.

The Tire Swing

"Dad they have a tire swing in their yard,  may we go out and swing on it?," was the inquiry of our little six year old visitor.  She and her little sister were full of joy at the thought of sticking their legs through the hole in the old black tire and swinging back and forth past the forsythia bushes and the stockade fence.

Watching the two young girls dressed in brightly colored outfits run out to play on the tire swing flashed me back to nearly twenty years ago when I had two small daughters running up the hill to do the same thing.  That swing has hung on the giant maple tree for about thirty years.  It has weathered sun, rain, snow, and wind--steadfastly baring it all.

Yesterday Jim pushed me out in my wheelchair to the back door of the garage where I had a clear view of the tire swing.  I marveled over the thought that the long rope with tight knots had been there as long as the swing.

"Did you ever change the rope," I asked Jim.

"No.  I tried to change the tire once but the knot around it was so strong, I couldn't get it loose."

As I sat soaking in fresh air from my chair and admiring the deep blue sky, I mused over the thought that the swing moves back and forth.  Sometimes it twirls in circles and blows around in the wind.  But ultimately it is anchored to the large branch on the majestic maple tree that stands in the yard.

In recent months, I have swung back and forth between medical challenges and happy dates with Jim at the park.   I have gone around in circles trying to make life altering decisions.  I have weathered good times and rough times but in the end I am anchored to my heavenly Father--securely tied, safely held.

In the book of Hebrews, chapter six, it speaks to this very thing when it says:
         "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." 

No matter which way I'm swinging or twirling, I am anchored firm and secure.