When You Feel the Love

An old high school buddy of mine, Mary, who is an amazing mom, educator, and friend, sent me this book and told me that she always thought of me when she read it to her children.  It reminded her of Ai Lan.  When I read it I was in tears!  It's such a beautiful story of a parent's love for their child, no matter how near or far.  It made me think of adoptive families yet to be united.  It made me think of military families, torn by an deployment.  It made me think of families fractured by divorce, and yet the parent that does not get to see his or her child every day loves them dearly, near or far.  But mostly, it made me think of God's love for each and every one of His children, those near to Him, and those far from Him. I hope I'm not breaking any copyright laws here, but I have to share this book with you!  For the record, I give full credit to it's author and illustrator, Nancy Tillman, one whom God has obviously bestowed a beautiful gift.  Enjoy!

Wherever You Are 

my love will find you

by Nancy Tillman

I wanted you more

than you ever will know,

so I sent love to follow

wherever you go.

It's high as you wish it.  It's quick as an elf.

You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself!

 So climb any mountain...

climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!

 Make a big splash!  Go out on a limb!

My love will find you.  My love can swim!

 It never gets lost, never fades, never ends...

 if you're working...

 or playing...

or sitting with friends.

You can dance 'til you're dizzy...

paint 'til you're blue...

There's no place, not one, that my love can't find you.

 And if someday you're lonely, 

or someday you're sad, 

or you strike out at baseball, 

or think you've been bad...

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.

That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass...in the smell of

the sea...in the clouds floating by...

at the top of a tree...in the sound

crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved.  You are loved.  You are 

loved," they all say. 

 My love is so high, and so wide and

so deep, it's always right there, even

when you're asleep.

 So hold your head high

and don't be afraid

to march to the front

of your own parade.

If you're still my small babe

or you're all the way grown, 

my promise to you

is you're never alone.

 You are my angel, my darling, 

my star...and my love will find you,

wherever you are.

God says to each of us..."You are loved, you are loved, you are loved."

And to Ai Lan I say, "Love is not on its way, sweet baby...it's already with you."

Thanks Mary and Nancy Tillman!