Even though the sun has been up for quite some time, I am struggling to rise to the Monday morning routines of laundry, menu planning, and weekend recovery for my home. It is not that I had a bad weekend, it is that we had such a wonderful weekend.

Because we live nearly fifty miles (or more) from most of my husband's family, we do not see them as often as we would like. Their busy lives paired with our busy lives makes getting together a rare occasion. This weekend we had two high school graduations to celebrate and got to see many of our dear ones at both. What joy!

It is sad that people no longer can send a lilting "hello" over the back fence and summon a sister, cousin, or mother-in-law. My husband and I were filled with a small sense of loss over the years missed in the lives of these bright and talented young people. Our nephew Andrew treated all of us to a percussion recital that was incredible, despite thunder and torrential rain hammering at the roof of the school auditorium. Our niece's daughter Marisa shared her plans for attending training for law enforcement, and we were pleased with the opportunity to hear of her plans.

It all makes me wonder about heaven. I think of those who have gone before us and the joys they have missed here. I know that my dear father-in-law would smile from ear to ear if he could see his grandson's and granddaughter's children. I have so much to do here, and I am in no hurry to go there yet, but I hope our Lord and Father gives us all lots of time to "catch up." I have so much to tell them.