Children

A "Thank You God" goes up this night for my 19 year old daughter Cana and 17 year old son Caleb. I thank God for two simple pleasures:

My daughter Cana and I have started watching The Colbert Report at 10:30 pm together in my bedroom (we both have TVs in our bedrooms) We have decided that we enjoy the show more when we can laugh in the same room together. (yes, that Stephen Colbert and his family at Disneyland two summers ago....)

I called my son about an hour ago. He goes to his dad's after supper and spends the night there since his dad graciously gives him a ride to school every day to let me rest a little more. I called Caleb about an hour ago to see how a meeting he had tonight went and if he was able to get the book on Asian Spirituality that he wanted for one his classes. A very quick check in call. But as we were hanging up he said, "I love you Mom" and I told him I loved him. Not a big thing. A simple pleasure, and one he grants me many evenings. But tonight it was especially special for some reason.

I have never loved two human beings more than Cana and Caleb Cox-Johnson, and that love keeps maturing as they mature. There was a time I thought I would not ever be able to have kids and really thought I'd be okay with that, and very well could have been okay. But the water of my life was changed to wine the day Cana arrived, and Caleb, unexpected but longed for as Caleb of old yearned for the promised land, even if we didn't realize it, has made our lives echo with joy and depth I would have never known.

Enough. I am very grateful.

PS I know there are those who may read this who for whatever reasons do not have children and wish they did. I apologize if this is hurtful to you all.