The Clay

Martin and I had an amazing time in Washington State. It was a mixed bag - lots of laughter and joy and good memories, but also sad as we watched Danny struggle with health issues. Leaving on Wednesday morning was heartwrenching, my Mom so sad and scared. I hate watching them go through this, and there is nothing I can do to fix it.

But maybe it is not for me to fix. I've been musing about the process my Uncle Richard uses to make his whistles and ocarinas. He showed us how he gets his molds ready for the fire, working the mouth to make sure the air passes just right. I had no idea that he could play them while still wet, before the fire. Of course, you can't give them to the end users like that, they would be smashed and ruined. It has to go through the firing process first, and glazed to make it shine with beauty, before a young Zelda fan can play magical melodies.


So then I think about my nieces and nephews, and wonder what they will have to go through as their "fire" (or what they have already gone through). What is the end process He has in mind for them, for me, for you?

Amanda, so pretty and quirky and smart. She has already been through so much...I pray for her healing.


Shelby - thoughtful, wise, responsible...I pray she learns about freedom.









Clarissa - the old soul, the cuddler. I pray for her wisdom about who and how to love.

Christopher - perfectionist, a worrier, a goof. I pray he learns about amazing grace.















Jean Paul - the athlete, looking for stability. I pray he learns about Trust on those uncertain roads sure to keep coming.


Spencer - the leader, the creator. I pray he learns sensitivity and the responsibility of leading.


Sarah - Fire cracker. Stand up comic. I pray she learns how to stream kindness and gentleness through her energy.

Katie - here closer to us, but with no more control in her life than we do in the others. We pray for her safety, for opportunities, for resilience.

I want to pray that they will be protected from any pain, disappointment, or grief. But no human life has been free of that, so instead I pray for Him to handle it gently, for His will to be done, as hard as it is for me to Trust that right here, right now. So, I guess more than anything I pray for ME - to regain my trust of Him in my life, that He is GOOD and knows His plans for me, and that they are GOOD. And in that I can trust Him to also take care of the people I love.