An Unexpected Gift...

I would be the first to say I love gifts, both giving and receiving. Friends and family have been amazing in their giving to my Overnight fund raising. Great gifts with long range value. Picking out the Easter Bunny gifts for the grandkids was so fun. Pete bringing me flowers every week, an ongoing gift I love.

But early this week I received an unexpected gift that really has boosted my heart. While looking for colored pens in Laurie's dresser drawer, Katie found some cassette tapes we had not ever listened to. One was hilarious, Laurie at about 10 years old, reading Shel Silverstein poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends. The other, oh, the other... It is about 20 minutes of Laurie playing the piano and singing worship songs.

She sings Open the Eyes of My Heart; I Love You, Lord; Lord, I Give You My Heart...One she sings without the piano. My eyes just well up hearing her voice. And the other sweet part is this little melody that she had made up. Not long ago I had looked at the piano and remembered that tune and felt sad I would never hear it again. It was her original little musical piece...and then there it is on the tape! So sweet! Thanks, God, for this unexpected gift you chose not to reveal until over 13 months after Laurie's homegoing.

I have asked Drew to help me make CDs from the original tape. That would make a nice gift to pass on. Let me know if you would like this little Laurie gift.