Inside: A cornerstone family memory, plus antique car shows, cherished time with a loved one, a new writing spot and praying with other moms again. ~

Twenty-four years ago this week, we adopted our older daughter Lilly.

As you might expect, her “Gotcha Day” has deep meaning for me and Randy as it marks the moment we became parents after a long wait.

When Lilly was younger, I would commemorate this occasion by making a celebratory poster (see photo above). Randy would come home from work with a bouquet of flowers for our sweet girl, and later in the evening, we’d often watch the precious video of when we met her for the first time.

Those days are long gone. Lilly is married and living in another state.

Randy and I still remember what happened on that long-ago September day, of course, but more quietly than before. That seems to be the case with so many things during this season of our lives, and I’m learning to be OK with it.

It’s been almost a year since I wrote a Share Four Somethings post, but this year’s categories are dovetailing perfectly with my current state of reflection. I’m glad you’re here to look back at the last month with me, starting with …

Something I Loved

Randy and I have been to a few antique car shows in the last few weeks. The first one—held in conjunction with our city’s annual community celebration—was small, with fewer than 100 vehicles. As we strolled from car to car, Randy guessed the age of each vehicle before I checked the tag (he was always spot on or pretty close), and we talked about how you can often tell how big an engine is by looking at the valve covers. (You learn something new every day, right?)

Then last weekend, we traveled south to the Ol’ Marais River Run Car Show in Ottawa, Kan. Among the 1,300-plus vehicles at this event, we spotted several 1964 Falcon Futuras (Randy’s first car that is now at the top of his project-car wish list) and a lone—and surprisingly souped up—Rambler American (see photo below). My dad drove these boxy automobiles when I was a kid, although his weren’t nearly as cool as the one at the show.

Something that Sustained Me

After more than 32 years of marriage, I’m thankful that spending time with Randy—wandering around cars shows in the late-summer heat, watching All Creatures Great and Small on DVDs from the library, playing cards at the dining-room table or simply chatting in the living room—is as life-giving as ever. (Even when he wallops me so badly in Hand and Foot that you’d think I’d never played our family’s favorite card game before.)

Something I’m Carrying Forward

My regular writing routines were greatly disrupted last year, and I’ve struggled find my pace again. Several weeks ago, I decided a change of scenery and more consistency would be helpful.

We have a quiet nook at the top of our stairs that overlooks the entryway on one side and the living room on the other side. The square oak kitchen table from my childhood home is up there, and although I haven’t used it for this purpose for many years, it makes the perfect writing spot.

Beginning Sept. 1, I started setting my microwave timer for an hour and going upstairs with my laptop. Most weekdays, I sit at the little table under the skylight and write with no distractions for at least 60 minutes.

My words usually flow best in the mornings, but even if I don’t make it up there until late afternoon, this new rhythm seems to be working for me. I’m looking forward to keeping it going in October.

Something I’m Making Space For

I participated in various Moms in Prayer groups in my community when Lilly and Molly were in elementary and high school, but I haven’t been involved in one since before Covid. Earlier this year, though, I felt the nudge to look for a group that included moms with older children.

A few weeks before Lilly’s wedding in March, I joined a group of praying mothers with kids ranging in age from grade school to young adult. Many of the students represented are in high school and college, although this year, we also have a mom with preschoolers.

We meet on Thursday mornings. This has always been one of my better days for writing, but I love praying for my children, learning from other empty nest moms and encouraging women who have kids younger than mine. So I’m glad this weekly prayer meeting is back on my calendar after our summer break.

• • •

Now it’s your turn. As you think about the last month, how would you respond to these Share Four Something categories? Also, if you enjoy antique car shows, I’d love to know which vehicles catch your eye as you wander around.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Share Four Somethings, InstaEncouragements and Let’s Have Coffee.