'Specially for You

While most of America was celebrating Valentine's Day by romantic candlelight, I was arm-deep in green and orange paint creating props with a fellow co-worker for the upcoming Kindergarten musical, "Green Eggs and Ham". Now, don't get me wrong- I love preparing for musicals and all, but this time around.... I was tired.

My colleague and friend kept my spirits up as we finished a Suessical Masterpiece even ol' Theodore Giesel (Dr. Seuss's real name) would be proud of.

As I wearily drove home around 7PM, I realized that I had forgotten to pick up a little Valentine treat for Wyn... something I had been thinking about all week, but hadn't had a chance to go shopping for. Oh well... saving her virgin teeth from all of the sugary Valentine candy was probably the better way to go.

I began to realize that I have been spending a lot of time in guilt mode recently: feeling guilty for not spending enough time at home, feeling guilt for not being 100% devoted to my job... it's a vicious cycle!! A great woman once said that motherhood is truly the "guilt that keeps on giving"... Preach it sista!

When I finally drug myself into the house, Wyn had already been fed, and was currently in post-dinner/slap happy mode. Sigh-- the guilt chest pain.... then I spotted the fun Elmo-themed treats Grandma had picked up for her for Valentine's Day---guilt pain moving into left arm--- then, my mom told me a story about how Wyn had said an entire sentence on her own today--- guilt cardiac arrest!!

I had failed as a mom~ I didn't even formally celebrate V-day with one of the loves of my life...

I wandered into Wyn's room looking for her pjs when I saw a bag of old barrettes and bows in the upper part of her closet. I looked inside and found some of my old treasured hair items-- including purple barrettes that say "Deidra" (amazing for someone with my unique name), and several Cabbage Patch twisties.

Knotted up amongst my 80's accessories were several strands of a red, pink and white ribbon with small felt hearts attached. I had once worn these ribbons in a church play called, "365 Days of Christmas each year"... in it, each holiday was presented showing it's unique connection to Christ. I played, "God's Special Valentine"... My song?

"Roses are Red- Violets are blue- God sent His Son- 'Specially for you,
Isn't it great? Isn't it true- God sent a Valentine 'Specially for you"

My mom always relives that moment in my history saying that there wasn't a dry eye in the church when my little 4 year old voice belted it out. Now being a mom myself, I can understand why.

Maybe I didn't make it to the store to buy a pink and red trinket or even a mountain of candy for Wyn, but what I can give her this Valentine's Day is a commitment to sharing with her this special gift of God... the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It's profound, essential and amazingly... FREE to everyone!

I caught Wyndham making faces at herself in the mirror the other day. As she slobbered all over the smudged glass, I had an epiphany: just as Wyndham was created in our physical image, we are all created to reflect God's wondrous love and abounding grace. I have a lot to give my daughter and the many other loves of my life.

Yes... I think I can unhook myself from the guilt oxygen machine... at least for today... :)