Memories + Sunsets | Frances | 2016

This is Frances.  I first met her when she was three years old.  My then-finance (now-husband) and I were visiting with Fran’s family in California, checking out The Master’s Seminary for David and The Master’s College for me.  I remember sitting in the floor with Frances, playing with dolls, and letting her “fix” my hair.  She pulled and yanked and tugged and laughed and danced all around me! I ended up with a rat’s nest on my head and she had the biggest, most joy-filled smile.  Well, I pretty much fell in love with her right there.  I’ve watched Frances grow from that impish little sprite into an precious, beautiful young woman.  It’s almost painful to write those words!  How can little Fran be so grown now?!

Frances has had a blessed life – she has lived in sunny Southern California, frigid Novosibirsk, Siberia, and a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.  As the youngest of four siblings, she has watched her family grow and change through the years.  In this session, toward the end, you will see Fran with a very special necklace.  It reads, “Love, Mom” in her mom’s handwriting.  When she showed me, I cried.  You see, Frances’ mom went home to be with the Lord a few years ago.  Losing her sweet friendship here on earth was such a heartache for everyone who knew her.  Every single person who had ever been blessed by her radiant smile!  Frances’ mom is one of the key pieces to why Fran is the amazing young woman she is.  Carol was funny and happy and loud and gracious and wise and generous and Christ-like and caring and practical and very, very real.  She taught me more about how to be a mother than any other person in my life.  I owe her so very much!  And seeing the fruit of her faithfulness through the beautiful and joy-filled lives of her children absolutely fills my heart to overflowing!  Fran misses her mom.  And this necklace, this reminder of her – taken from a note she wrote Fran during church one Sunday – what a treasure!

Now, you might wonder – what about her dad?  What about her other siblings?  And now, what about her step-mom who has joined their family?  Well… they have all poured into her life and my life in immeasurable ways as well.  I could tell stories about her dad calling to check on us when my kids were so sick and I cried and cried and poured my heart out and probably made him feel very uncomfortable, but he was too nice to say so.  I’ll always be so thankful for that!  Or how her sisters have blessed and encouraged me and been my dear, dear friends.  Or how her brother taught me who Koreem Abdul-Jabbar and Larry Bird are with his infectious smile and unending laughter.  Or her step-mother’s graciousness and absolutely lovely heart.  But for this entry, and for this session… it’s all about Fran, her mom, her love of Jane Austen, and warm sunsets on cool winter days.  I loved every minute.  I hope you do, too.