We took the boys to the Myerstown Park earlier this week for a picnic lunch. Afterward—did they want to go play on the swings? No. That’s always something they enjoy doing, but two other things piqued their interest more than the mulched and manicured playground set.

First, they had to explore the massive mud puddles by the pavilion. (It’s nearly an obsession with these two.) And second, they had to go play by the pond. There were fish, ducks, rocks, and sticks that needed their attention. And mud.

When Samuel and Levi got here last night for Pizza-Movie Night, they “helped” me with a project in the backyard. You guessed it—more mud. This time they created the puddle with my hose. I’m putting decorative rocks on either side of the path that connects our two patios—one off the side of the house and one off the primary bedroom. I finished one side so far, and I’m happy with how it turned out. Micah and Bethany got me ground solar lights for my birthday, and it inspired me to create a special strip to put them in.

During much of the time I was working, I was thinking about the recent death of a gal I graduated with from high school. Lung cancer is what took her in the end, though she never smoked. Tiff was pleasant and kind—a majorette in the marching band. She was sharp in math, too. We were seated next to each other in AP Calculus, and she aced nearly all her tests. She went on to become a civil engineer and then worked in Virginia for a defense contractor. It’s sobering to think the clock is ticking for all of us.

That’s why I’m drinking in every delicious moment with the boys, and I’m looking forward to Andrew’s wedding in two weeks. He and his fiancé asked me to do the wedding message and the pronouncement. That second request wasn’t very wise on their part. It means they’re not married until I say they’re married. 🙂

The boys are coming back tomorrow night for a little Mother’s Day celebration here at the house. I’m guessing somehow there will be more mud involved.

Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

C. T. Studd