Thursday and belated randoms <3

I missed the Randoms on Wednesday so here we are a day late with them. 

In no particular order….

Random #1

I marvel at the whims of the fashion industry. What was absolutely taboo a few years ago is suddenly the way of the cool kids. What was once considered the fashion rule back then is now made fun of. 

How many women my age who were ridiculed by their daughters for wearing “mom jeans” and high waters are now shaking their heads as this same generation is embracing the same style?

When I worked at Talbots, the younger associates would scorn the “Denim tuxedo” as they referred to older women who wore a denim jacket with jeans. 

Lately it is all I see on Instagram. 

I am thankful that when it comes to fashion we, hopefully, reach an age where we have watched so many trends come and go we finally decide what looks good and works for us and we can laugh at the rest of it as we move along at our speed. 

Random #2

As we speak of clothing and styles and with Mother’s Day just passed, I have had a memory of my mom the past few days. 

Around this time of year, as school was winding down and the weather was warming up, my mom would take to the sewing machine when the evening was quiet. 

One of the things she would do is purchase some fabric, unbeknownst to me, and fashion some kind of something for me to wear. 

A core childhood memory is waking up in the morning on a late spring school day to find a bright colored new dress. 

One morning I was treated to an orange and green wild printed culottes jumper. It was acceptable to our school dress code of no pants for girls and I was so happy. 

It also had pockets. 

Enough said, right?

Sure it wasn’t my colors, but I felt loved. 

She probably worked into the wee hours of the morning to finish it and true to her nature, was still sleeping while my dad fixed my hair and served up a hot breakfast, but it was her love language. 

And this week it is speaking across the ages and filling an empty spot where I miss her. 

Random #3

Another sweet moment this week was listening to the graduation address of Eric Church to the Class of 2026 at The University of North Caroline – Chapel Hill. 

While I couldn’t name a single song he has sung and had to fight off the feeling that he was actually Nate Bargatze in sunglasses with a guitar strapped over his chest, his words were inspiring for people of all ages. 

Google it. 

It’s worth a listen. 

Random #4

I should be putting flowers out in pots, but I am also still carrying winter gloves and an ear warmer in my purse because ball games are still FREEZING. 

The wind has been whipping across the prairie at record speeds and even when the temperature shows 70 degrees, we are cuddled under blankets and craving hot chocolate as we gather in our yard chairs each night. 

Random #5

Russ ran into the pastor of a church we have visited off and on for holiday services. We love our church, but they don’t have separate services for Sunday and holidays when those fall within a few days of each other. 

They also don’t do Lent or Advent services, and this church does. It is near our house and we have enjoyed being drop in’s for these types of services over the years. 

Quite a few years ago, one of the young pastors shared about his father’s journey with Alzheimers. I would watch his wife and sweet little boys in the front pew and it brought back memories of my own years as my father faded away to us and we still had a family to raise. 

After one particularly sensitive service, I took a deep breath and told him I had walked that journey and was praying for him and his family. 

So when we were at the same event this week, this pastor recognized Russ  and spoke to him. He remembered me and my story. When I walked up, he greeted me warmly and it was very sweet. 

We marveled that it has been four years since his father passed and 16 for my dad. 

I don’t know this man beyond sitting under his teaching occasionally,  but we share a similar path. He told us that the pain of it has made him more compassionate in funerals and increased his passion to share the hope we have in Christ. 

I understand this deeply. 

When we are going through the difficult seasons, what a blessed redemption when we can share God’s comfort received with others. So thankful for the people God places alongside us as we …. Journey onward <3