Lots of in between moments, lots of being in the middle. Walking with my grandmother and grandfather, each holding a hand to my little enough self, counting, 1-2-3 Swing – and my legs would fly out as they catapulted me into the air – letting me soar.
“Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am
Stuck in the middle with you”
(Steel Wheelers, 1970)
My second grade self sat there, stuffed between my best friend and my brother’s friend in the back of my moms green volkswagon, 1970 – Halloween – and the Steel Wheelers song came on. I sat there mortified – the joker to the right? I had a huge crush on him. I rode speechless all the way to the haunted house. (disclaimer – my brother would say that was probably the only time I was ever speechless – and I would probably say that was the only time he ever had a friend cute enough to have a crush on – LOL)
Phone in my ear, ironing I cried as I talked to my aunt, both of us grieving my grandmother – her mother – and in between my sobs, I talked about how when my grandmother crossed over, my little girl and my grandfather were waiting for her – and I could just see them walking on into heaven, my little girl inbetween, them holding her hands, swinging her to soar.
On Sundays now, my boys sandwich me in, clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, towering over me, rolling their eyes when I step past to shake hands, hug, meet old friends and new ones. 4 are taller now, 6 ft, 6 ft 5, 6 ft 6.3, 5 ft 8.5 – and I wonder what they’d do if I took their hands when I’m in between and said, “Swing.”
I think they’d roll their eyes and just go, “Mom” – then face forward, stoic, listening wondering about that crazy mama God gave them.
There’s so much in between, so much in the middle –
like Wednesdays,
15 minutes into a 30 minute cake baking,
the middle of a blueberry picking outing,
noon or 3 a.m.,
12 year olds,
summer time in the school year,
page 240 of Penguin Classic’s Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice,
3 ounces of a 12 ounce Diet Dr Pepper
30 years of marriage in August – happy to be stuck in the middle of that journey with my husband
the slow emptying of a nest
turn around point of a prodigal’s journey,
the in between of the salvation walk
the wait of a prayer released
the faith wait to soar on wings like eagles
hope
right now
in between
when He planned the days of my life
and going home
in between is where the little stuff happens
that defines the substance
of our lives
the 1-2-3 before the soar
So what’s your secret to a 30-year marriage? Funny, my post has lists too because I’ve been thinking of the power of lists lately. Do they demonstrate the connections between things or separations? Both? I read your post several times and liked it more and more each time through. Thanks!
great thoughts. a lifetime of in-betweens and through it all the chord of grace…..
blessings!
OK, now I’m singing that song in my head. 🙂 But your post has a good message for us all. So many stuck in the middles in this life. Congrats on 30 years of marriage. Greg and I are a little behind at going on 29 years.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
http;//www.heartchoices.com
Isn’t it true that the in between brings some pretty awesome stuff? I really love the middle of a good piece of cheesecake…and I’m always sad when it’s over. 😉 Beautiful post, friend…thank you for sharing!
I discovered your blog via Imperfect Prose on Thursdays (we are blogging ‘neighbors’) and was so very blessed by this post. Five boys–wow. What a challenge. And 30 years of marriage–only by the grace of Jesus, yes. We’ll celebrate 40 years next month. I would agree it’s because of all the love that Jesus has given us……..as you shared in your ‘Can’t Love ’em Right’ post.
I will be back to read more!
In the in-between is all of life, isn’t it? The good, the bad, and the ugly. The heartaches and joys. I did not know you had a heavenly baby girl. Saying a prayer for you.
Dear Maryleigh,
So many memories of in between…thank you for sharing them…adorable pic of you with your boys/men…Congrats early on your 30 years of marriage 🙂
I’m visiting from the Momma Notes link-up. This is a beautiful post! I’m about halfway as far as you on the journey, but my oldest is just getting ready to surpass me in height (he’s thirteen)! My favorite thought – “the wait of Prayer released.” 🙂
Hey, thirty years for us in August, too! Happy Anniversary in advance!