This Little Light of Mine!

I have two little “lights” to share with you for Metamorphosis Monday.

The first “light” is a chandelier for our guest house bedroom.

I needed a light, but couldn’t afford the one I was dreaming of.

So when I had a yard sale with my mom, we worked out a little trade. She traded me a light she had hanging in her basement with a Tiffany lamp I had in a bedroom.

This is the only “before” picture I had of the chandelier when it was at mom’s.

It was definitely beautiful as it was, but I was wanting to add some “black” touches to our guest house bedroom.

So, my sweet hubby spray painted it black and here it is…

I think the black shows off the curves of the chandelier, don’t you?

This is a picture of the guest house MONTHS ago, when we were just getting started. Now there is furniture in there and everything! Many of the furniture pieces I have posted on previous Met Monday’s. But if you would like to see more of my guest house, click on the label in my side bar.

NOW, that light is pretty… but it can never compare to the “light of my life”!

Here he is…my baby who turned 10 years old today! And he is very excited about reaching the “double digits”. I was a little sentimental about this metamorphosis in my life!

Where did the time go?

He is one amazing kid! (Hey, I’m his mama, so I can say that!)

When he was three years old, we took him to the doctor, and we learned that he had a 50% hearing loss in both his ears.

I keep a journal for each of my boys with little notes to them, and this is the entry on that day:

9-16-02

Dear Sweet Jonathan,

You are mommy and daddy’s pride and joy! You are three years and 2 months old. Today we took you to Dr. Speech, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, to check your hearing. I thought you had fluid on your ears from your allergies. You had fluid on your ears earlier this year (May).

However, the news was surprising and disappointing. We found out today you have nerve damage in each ear causing hearing loss in each. I was shocked and saddened. Your daddy wasn’t with me, so I had to be strong.

You were so cute when they tested your ears. You were so quiet and good. (You wanted a sucker!) We haven’t met with an ear specialist yet, so we don’t know the severity of the loss or how to help you. Most likely you will need a hearing device and it will affect the rest of your life.

But I’m not going to worry. God has His hand all over you. I know He has great plans for you. He has gifted you with an amazing personality. You’re a definite “people person”. He’s gifted you with musical talents. Use them to sing His praises.

Jonathan, when we got in the car after your appointment, we headed to McDonald’s to eat because I promised you we would. I immediately began to cry as I was driving. You noticed and said, “Why are you crying mommy?”

I said, “Because I love you so much!”

“You love me so much?” you said.

“I do!”

“You need me mama?”

“I do, baby, I do.”

A few moments later you began to sing (as you always do in the car).

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”

Your voice was so precious to me. You continued…

“Let it shine til Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine…”

Jonathan-I know in my heart that no matter how this hearing loss affects your life, I have no doubt your “light” will shine so bright for Jesus. It will.

Shine, baby, shine!

You’re my boy!

Love,

Mommy

When I look back at this note, I am amazed at how much of it is true.

*God still has His hand ALL over him.

*His hearing loss has affected his life in many ways.

*Jonathan is still a “people person” and has developed the most beautiful singing voice…a true GIFT from God.

*We still eat lunch at McDonald’s a lot. :)

*And Jonathan’s “light” is still burning bright! He has certainly “brightened” my life these past ten years!

I tell him often, “I am proud of the boy that you are, and the man that you are becoming.”

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the next 10 years!

Happy Birthday, sweet Jonathan!

Now be sure to stop by Between Naps on the Porch, hosted by Susan, for more wonderful Met. Monday posts!

AND, there are four more weeks of my “Christmas in July” giveaways.

I am giving away personalized gingerbread family ornaments.

(Handmade by me!)

Click here to find out how to enter. Or click my “Christmas in July” button in my side bar.

Many blessings to you all!

Traci