Promises

In a few short days we will be going to a wedding.  I have enjoyed seeing the husband and wife-to-be smiling and holding hands, hugging and smiling some more.  Love seems to radiate from their faces.  There is no mistaking it.  They are full of promise.  And we wish them well as they begin their life together.

Another friend has a new baby.  When she looks at her I see what we all feel when we are new moms.  Such adoration.  Such amazement that this little life is here at hand.  How wonderful.  A little one...with a life full of promise ahead of her.  And we give her our pledge that we will do all we can to make it so.

And here is graduation ahead of us.  Little ones in Kindergarten ready to move up to first grade.  Taking that first step toward independence and the future.  High school seniors marching in to be honored for their hard work and effort.  Many have plans already.  They will join others looking toward the future with promise.  We who are left behind wish them well...knowing that the world that we grew up in is changing so fast we can scarcely keep up.

On Easter Sunday I joined my church family taking Communion and then making a circle, hands clasped and heads bowed for the benediction.  Promises.  Eternal in scope.  Love coming down to us and radiating from us.  As I lifted my eyes and saw my family through happy tears, I knew that this was the greatest promise of all.  Day by day, spring into summer and then fall and winter, we are here together.  Promises.  Sweet promises of life.