I’ve started to write a post several times and my mind goes blank. Life has been unpredictable this year, and it keeps coming at us.

Our youngest daughter gave birth to her first baby at 24 weeks and 5 days on October 14th. Our already challenging schedule quickly shifted gears into turbo drive. We are holding on by the grace of God, and it really is a miracle how well we are doing in the midst of such uncertainty.

Home. It’s such a comforting word.

Our daughter and son-in-love are amazing. The strength and faith evident does our hearts good as we wait for Baby Elias to keep growing. He weighed 1 lb, 6.6 ounces at birth. As I write this, they are getting to hold him for the first time since he was born. I have not been allowed in the NICU, so I won’t see him or hold him until after he is released to go home. This isn’t a COVID thing, it’s a NICU thing and I understand.

Tom and I drove to Oklahoma to be with our daughter as soon as we heard Elias had been born. They live in Arkansas, but she was airlifted to the closest NICU, which is in Tulsa, which just happens to be the state where my Mom was born nearly a hundred years ago (1922). She would be so happy.

My father-in-love had just moved in with us from California—a huge transition for him after 45 years in the same home.

It wasn’t easy leaving him at our home alone, but we had no other choice. Thankfully, he unselfishly insisted on us going—Tom is so much like him.

After being here for two weeks, Tom flew home to take care of some things for his dad and step-dad. He says home is never the same when I’m not there. I felt the same way when he was making frequent trips to CA to finalize his father’s move. And here we are once again, together—but apart.

Home. It’s such a precious word.

It is Halloween. Our other grandchildren are getting dressed in their adorable costumes, but we won’t get to see them in person. I am grateful for technology that lets me enjoy such moments, even if from a distance. I know their homes are abuzz with the shrieks and shrills of giddy excitement.

We have in the costume line-up this year: Minnie Mouse, Uncle Jason (our grandson thinks his Uncle Jason is so cool) complete with tattoo sleeves to match his, a rainbow owl and a unicorn in our daughter’s family.

Our son’s family is dressing up as glow stick people. I can’t wait to see this one, and we won’t get photos until after dark. But our favorite this year by far has to be the hungry caterpillar costume that the NICU nurses sewed for our youngest grandson. It is a Halloween with no tricks, all treats and I am beyond grateful to God for His kindness to our family.

What does all this have to do with marriage? Everything. Life comes fast and hard, but marriages that weather the hard knocks find a depth of intimacy found in no other way.

Home. It holds our memories and our dreams.

May we never lose sight of either. They are what glorifies God as we live each day side-by-side, or across the miles. It is home where we are united as one.

How are things in your home? Cherish every aspect—the good and the challenging. It is your story that you will tell your children and your grandchildren in the years to come. One day you will be closing the door on your home for the last time, like my father-in-law just did, taking only memories with you. Let’s enjoy all of it, even the not-so-good times, for it is our story alone and it is worth telling.