Not the kind that you wish were over because nothing seems to be going right. But the kind of day that just overwhelms you with the blessings it brings. Needless to say they don't happen often.
I resigned from my position as nursery director.
After13 years it was just time.
In that amount of time:
Can you imagine how many diapers I've changed?
The number of noses I've wiped.
The number of boo boo's I've fixed.
The number of craft projects I've cut out?
A lot.
Can you also imagine how many little smiles I've been given.
How many Ms. Heather's I've been called.
How many little friends I have?
Even more!
Sunday started out good. No rushing around trying to make sure everyone was getting up and around so we wouldn't be late. No wishing the boy would hurry up and get his tie tied so we could head out the door. I was kind of even hoping that the phone would ring so that I could answer it without feeling sick to my stomach. (Previously a call on Sunday morning would have brought bad news - that a volunteer was sick and wouldn't be able to come.)
I was able to go to Sunday School, and be in church for the worship time. Then things began to happen fast...
I was being recognized for my years of service. I was on stage with my husband by my side. And then the pastor was asking if there were some helpers that could help him. From one side of the stage entered a very long line of children with flowers in their hands accompanied by adults. They were "my" children. The ones I had cared for over the last thirteen years. The moment I saw those children, the tears began to flow. (And wouldn't you know there was no Kleenex in sight!)
A large basket was placed in my hands and one by one, from the smallest infant with two tiny daisies in his chubby fist being carried by his daddy to the taller than me teenagers with braces on their teeth, they came to me and each put a flower in my basket. Some offered hugs, some looked a little scared to be on stage. Some looked at me strange like, "Why are you crying?" All these, my little friends, honored me with their smiles, hugs, and flowers. At some point my filled basket was taken, and I was given another. It took a long time to get through the line of children, tears flowing the entire time.
The volunteers contributed to purchase a lovely James Avery silver heart necklace with a heart of gold on the inside. Still crying. I was asked if I wanted to say anything, but even if I had wanted to, I just couldn't through all the tears.
Some memories are ones you wish you could forget. Some memories are just there to fill up space, but don't really have much significance. Some memories are treasures: like the day of your engagement, your wedding day, the birth of a child. As my nursery director days come to a close, and as I look to the future for what Christ has in store for me, I will always look back on that Sunday as one of the sweetest memories of my life.
A memory that brings a blessing to my heart.
