Between travel and bad weather, I’ve hardly set foot on our gravel road for over two and a half weeks. So yesterday, before the storm, I hauled my camera along when I drove to town. On the way back I snapped this shot of our wintery road.
The storm finally hit last night around seven o’clock. After several hours of pinging sleet, the snow arrived. To celebrate the storm we watched Master and Commander, a great sea movie based on the first book in the Patrick O’Brian series. Both my kids went through the “Mom, please, please can I take fencing lessons?” phase at different times, so I knew they would like the movie.
I shouldn’t have been surprised by what happened after the movie credits rolled. Allen turned to Anne and said, “Let’s learn how to sword fight. Let’s check the internet.” Anne nodded in agreement, and they flew upstairs to Hiram’s computer. After a short, intense googling session, they ran back down with six pages of broadsword building and fighting instructions as well as links to numerous instructional videos.
Allen grinned. “We can make wood swords in Dad’s wood shop.”
“And I can knit armor out of chrome duct tape.” Anne’s eyes sparkled. “But first, let’s watch Pirates of the Caribbean.”
When I went to bed, they were planning and scheming. This morning, their enthusiasm remains undimmed. I smile while they chatter, grateful that after so many years apart, they want to redeem the unexpected time they have together this Christmas season. As they plan their ancient war training, the words that echo inside me seem a strange blessing upon their conversation.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among children with whom He is well pleased.
