How very good and pleasant it is
    when kindred live together in unity!
 It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down over the collar of his robes.
 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
    life forevermore. – Psalm 133

Friday, Rebekah and I enjoyed a beautiful day at Naomi and Craig’s home in Richmond, where we celebrated our son Andrew’s 33rd birthday, along our granddaughter Beks’ second.

The primary thought in my mind was this: “Rebekah and I have been married almost 36 years. Look what wondrous things have happened!”

And so today I am so very grateful, because before any time at all has passed, Andrew and Alicia will be in Central Asia, and this moment, this particular instance where the time that we can measure laps up against the eternity we can’t, will simply be a memory. And I am thankful that we have been able to capture a few photographs that help to tell the story.

BEYOND CAPACITY: When the story involves grandchildren, it involves more joy and excitement than we have the capacity to process, more fun than our bodies are equipped (any more) to sustain, more raw emotion – including tears – than we are every adequately prepared for, and more love than could be contained in all the oceans.

Beks turned two, so she proudly sported her “birthday tutu” all day long. David gave a clinic in trains. Naomi and Craig pulled off hosting with their usual grace and generosity. Andrew and Alicia’s presence served to remind us of how blessed we are as parents. Rebekah and I played the part of enjoying-the-moment grandparents.

In addition, Rebekah’s sister Rachel showed up, along with my brother-in-law Tom, and two of our nieces and nephews from Jacksonville. Finally, to round out the party, Andrew’s good friend Anthony rolled in.

The measure of success is not in how much stuff we have, or of how famous we become, but what we do with the blessings that have been entrusted to our care. Just look at what God has place in our trust!

Grateful; always – DEREK

(enjoy this gallery of images from Friday in Richmond)