Family is a beautiful thing.
It was Miah (our firstborn’s) 21st Birthday and we had planned the day out, with having breakfast or brunch as a family and coming back home and enjoying sweet memories of Miah’s entrance and journey so far into the world.
We had planned brunch at a nearby location, but with a change of heart dad and I decided that we would have brunch down in London instead, because we could enjoy the drive, have a talk, and listen to some podcasts or audiobooks.
Do we believe in chance encounters?
No, most definitely we believe in purpose; it was purposed for us to go down to London for that day at that time. I love these moments throughout our journey and in life when you see God’s grace, mercy, providence, and hand show up so tangibly. I love those moments and am eternally grateful for them. They keep you comforted, humbled and grateful.
As we sat down to eat, the same noise and chatter of laughter and joy at yet another opportunity to sit down and have a feast together, permeated from our table to the neighbouring tables, not too loud that I would have to ask my beloveds to keep it down, but enough that would come from a 7 member family.
I’m sometimes conscious of how much noise we can make, as we have many members in our family that enjoy and have the liberty to express themselves with all their delightful contributions and opinions. On this occasion everybody was in a celebratory mood, glad to witness another year God had richly bestowed on our firstborn.
There was a man sitting at the next table with his back turned to us, in a hat and a mid-length trench coat, with his partner and baby.
If this was a novel or movie, I would describe him as almost mysterious or detective like. He was Afro-American as we later found out when they were leaving, and the boys had helped move the chairs so that the stroller could be moved through so they could exit the restaurant. He stopped instead at the table, staring to observe, as I proclaimed yes these are all ours. We had taken a family picture previously at the table to remember these memories, and he commented and said that he feels that said picture is going to be one of our best family photos (he wasn’t wrong I love that picture).
I apologised for any noise that may have been made as they were eating, and explained we were in a celebratory mood as it was our first-born’s birthday! He quickly responded with “I love this!” He proclaimed it again, “I love this! This is beautiful,” with his hand gesturing across the very length of our table. He was referring to our family. He said “I had my back turned towards you guys and for me all I could hear was family. All I heard was family and it’s a beautiful thing.”
This encouraged me so much that day, that he could feel our family culture and that he partook in our gladness of God’s gift of togetherness and family. Such a delight when you know what’s true in your heart and it touches even a total stranger.
They stayed and we all continued to get to know each other a little better. I enjoy meeting new people; you can learn so much through people’s lives. He intuitively picked up on how well behaved the kids had been and added, “That’s years of good parenting right there, that is.” I wanted to add that it’s really, years of commitment, repetition and sacrifice, behind the scenes hard work parenting and learning, that had produced this moment that he was now experiencing.
He then proceeded to give Miah his details as he was very successful in the same industry our son was interested in.
It’s amazing to behold and watch the growth of two young adults in our home. Family is beautiful, but it is also sacred, and is worth the effort, intention and dedication. I only pray that God’s Will is done upon their lives.
So, if you’re in a family, cherish it, nurture it and be intentional about your love bonds, for it matters that much. You may not see the fruits today, but there can be a barvest tomorrow. Is all the hard work worth it? More than!
With Love✍🏾
- Liz💜