Same song, second verse...a little bit faster and a little bit worse

Here is our little middle as she was embarking on her collegiate years. Seems like it was just yesterday! 


 Hummingbirds are fascinating little creatures. They flit about, humming their tiny wings at an exhausting speed. We have several that frequent our yard that we love to watch, silently as to not startle them away. I'm certain that we had a family of them living in the Clematis that has overtaken our pergola, though we've never found a nest.

The hummingbird though that is my favorite one to hear is not a bird of the air, it is however a precious life that resides just down the hall from me. This hummingbird of sorts makes the most precious sounds far beyond the sounds hummingbirds make.

In the quiet of the night, right before we would allow ourselves to fall into the blissful quiet of sleep, we would listen for a quiet, sweet sound from down the hall.  A very soft melody, hummed just under her breath. Unrecognizable to most and so faint it could be easily ignored. This sound signified that all was well in our world.

Unaware of her self soothing methods used to put herself to sleep, we would lie in bed and listen.... many years we relished in the serene, soft melody that would float down the hall. Much like a wisp of smoke whisked away by the wind. We sometimes would miss this sound in the loud clamor of life, begging for our attention if we didn't focus on hearing it.

Our little middle has grown and her door is now closed at night,  however, I miss hearing the soothing sound to signify that we can close out another day. Another reminder that life is short...kids become adults quickly. So many little treasures are hidden in our children, just waiting to be discovered. Gifts that lie unopened perhaps because when we finally hit our pillow at night we have other things we are focused on. Are the doors locked?... The dog in?...Homework by the front door?...and on and on it goes.

Embracing the next big step in life, she departed for her new home, on a college campus. I dreamed that her new roommate she was about to meet would also enjoy this hummingbird as much as we have. I prayed that they together would focus on hearing the important things in life. To filter out the clamor that wants to steal our attention, and focus on what God has for them to discover in this new adventure.

 Same song, second verse...
 No college drop off is complete without our family kissy face photo!