18 June 2015

These precious hands



It seems I've extended my two-month break beyond any of my expectations.  Yikes!  Thanks for the nudge, Barb.  I do want to share our progress, our growth and our next steps.  It's just that the doing of them seemed to take precedence over writing about them.  It's a discipline, isn't it?  Right.  Quill to the paper.  The discipline of the written word.

Do you see these hands?  These are skilled, patient, generous, careful, exacting hands.  Sometimes weary, sore hands.  Always gentle hands.  These are the hands that hold mine in encouragement, in support, in friendship, in playfulness and in love.  These hands belong to my partner, my friend, my beloved, my husband.  The man who, with these hands, built the nest that holds puddletown fayre.  The hands that labored out of love for me, for my dream, for our dream.  For what puddletown fayre may become.

Here Jerry is working on the bridge (yes, bridge!) that connects the studio to the house.  It is a masterpiece.  It is magical.  It has been celebrated in many stages.  It is nearly complete.  The bridge is a gift from Jerry, and from the kids - Chad and Rhiannon and Shaun.  Thank you, guys!  Thank you, Chad, for your muscles and hours of help during your vacation visit here! Soon I'll share a photo when it is completely, magnificently, finished.  

Five or six years ago, I asked about maybe, down the road, adding on to the little guest room because I was buried in papercrafting supplies.  Jerry suggested that I sketch out some ideas for a separate studio.  Really?  Seriously?  Sure, it sounds like fun.  When I shared plans, he made suggestions, improvements.  He quizzed me for hours on what would make it perfect for what I hoped to do there.  Each great idea was built upon in unimaginable ways.  And these two hands made it grow from a plan to a place.  They created it.  Walking across that bridge, into that building, is second only to being held in his arms.  But both come from the same place - the heart and soul of my husband.

Thank you, Jerry, from the bottom of my heart, from the core of my being. 

Thank you, Almighty Father, for making me wait for this man.  Thank you for the gift of him.  Please teach me to take care of him the way You want him cared for, to be the best partner, wife and friend that I can learn to be in this lifetime.  In the name of my saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.