Where were you when...

Madison sat in to watch the pirates today as we set sail on a five-week adventure in KidPak. It's a fun script, and most of it takes place on board a pirate ship we've got built in the auditorium. It'll be fun hearing everyone over the next few weeks say, "Arrr!" It was a big morning, and an exciting launch to the new series filled with great messages and lots of pirate fun.

After church today, we visited with Ray and Valerie again at Ye-Ye and Nana's house. It's been a few months since their last visit, and this time they brought their daughter-in-law, a wonderful young woman named Xuejiao. She's from China, which was a delight for Madison. The two got along spendidly, and Xuejiao even spoke some Chinese with Madison as well!

Afterwards, it was time for a rest. We made our way home to our quiet neighborhood for a bit of catching up on sleep. Everyone was rather wiped out from the weekend, so we all took one of those peaceful afternoon naps. What a beautiful day outside today, by the way. The temperature was just right: Madison and Daddy played catch with a frisbee in the front yard for a while. Later, we went to the grocery store to pick up some milk and a frozen pizza. California Pizza: yum! Madison scarfed down three slices in a hurry!

Daddy read to Madison a few books tonight before bed, and soon it was time to turn in. Mommy and Daddy watched a pirate movie afterwards of course. "The Curse of the Black Pearl" is a classic! One of Daddy's top ten favorite movies!

After that came the big news from Pakistan. Where do you even begin with this? For historical purposes, when we all look back and read this later, I guess one thought is: where were you when you heard the news on Sunday, May 1st, 2011 ? Our answer: Mommy and Daddy were just about to go to bed after watching a movie about pirates. Madison was sleeping safe and sound.

Nearly ten years ago, the world became something much different than it was before. The news of the day today will never bring things back to the way they were before. Perhaps there will be some closure or feeling of justice for all of us, but still, the world that Madison is a part of now will never be what it used to be. Not the world we knew.

But that's the way it has always been, hasn't it? As each decade glides by, we look back with longing towards simpler times. But we can never go back.

Gone away, the days of wish and wondering
Far away, like a vision in my mind
The child has grown and left me here alone
Looking back to what was left behind

- Susan Ashton