We Call it Dressing

Wow! It’s been weeks! Only further proof that life happens, and that the days do not contain enough hours for all the tasks. Life is busy and full, full of wonderful things, full of not so wonderful things, full of time consuming things, and full of surprises.  Yet, one thing remains the same, we continue to fall utterly and helplessly in love with our baby girl!  Addisyn turned 8 months on Thanksgiving day. EIGHT months! I now find myself brainstorming for a first birthday party that will be here before we know it.  She’s now 17 lbs. (verified at this week’s doctors appointment for being sick; again), and learning new things every day. We can add to the list that she had quite the Thanksgiving buffet including but not limited to bacon, eggs, dressing with gravy, and anything else Nana gave her during her visit. To her list of skills we must note that she now says “da-da”, plays peek-a-boo on her own, waving, feeds herself puffs and other small foods, and let us not forget the crawling! She’s on the move, which dramatically changes our days. Every day, I learn more from this sweet little one.

Addisyn’s first Thanksgiving proved to be a successful one. It was also the first Thanksgiving that we hosted at our home, and the first Thanksgiving of Justin’s fried turkey, which turned out amazingly delicious and we were not added to the list of 4300 people who burn their homes down attempting to fry a turkey every year.  As the holidays arrive, it is even more important for me to make sure that this year starts wonderful traditions that will become wonderful memories for Addisyn.  Until this year, for the past two years, I had successfully avoided celebrating or hardly acknowledging the holidays that once meant so much to me. However, as hard as the holidays are to face without my sister here with us, this year I knew it had to be different. This year, for my little one, I had to find a way to patch up broken hearts. This year I had to ensure that as Addisyn grows and reflects on the holidays that she will think of Aunt Mandi celebrating with Christ, while we celebrate here. It is my goal to keep Aunt Mandi alive for Addisyn, and Aunt Mandi (like me) so greatly loved the holidays. So we got Nana on board with the gig, and some great friends, and we hosted an feast truly fit for kings. We had several lively debates on whether that yummy delicious side item served with turkey is named “stuffing”, or “dressing”. Obviously, I’m claiming the victor to be dressing, because my Mamaw taught me how to brown a beautiful pan of it and never calls it anything else, Mamaws are always right. What a fabulous time we had, and of course many of us in the room were missing very special people on that day, but I like to think they were all looking down.

When I look at my life, I am so generously blessed. I serve an almighty God who has provided me with an amazing husband and daughter, a beautiful home, the ability to stay home to care for my daughter, and friends that are truly family. However, all of the blessings in my life are not always great enough to cover the void that I often feel without my sister. I by no means am complaining, I am so grateful to God, and I take comfort in knowing that I will see my sister again. My point is that In life, you never know the battle that someone is facing. You never know what ghosts someone has overcome or what heartaches lie underneath the smiles of those you meet. Sometimes, great favor is also accompanied by great pain. Some days it feels like too much to wear a smile to cover whatever issue is grieving the soul, sometimes it’s too hard to “dress” it up with a smile. However, 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful , and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 

Do not lose hope, and know that God has a purpose for each event in your life. God does not promise us that our life will be without trials or temptations, but He does promise to be enough to cover and secure you amidst those trials and temptations. God promises to be a bigger portion than your trials and He alone will renew your strength and spirit to carry you through. Wishing you all blessings and strength this holiday season!