Perception - subjective, culturally relevant, personal judgment.

Lucid - sober moments of absolute clarity.

Happenstance - events that happen by chance.

Divine Happenstance - God-luck not good-luck.

Story - a narrative account, legend, fairytale, chronicle.

Yesterday - the story as it has already been lived.

Today - the story as it is being lived.

Tomorrow - the unwritten story yet to be lived.

God - supernatural person of intimate interest in humankind.

This is Our Story. There are 5 volumes in our Saga. Each narrative is being written individually each day according to the perspective of each author. Tim and I began our story 21 years ago. We have been writing the Smithsonian Saga ever since. The Smithlings are now beginning their own memoirs based on their individual perception. Every sunrise brings a fresh account of life, which will enable them to establish their own narrative to add to the Family Volume.

Last year we embarked on an entirely new chapter in the Smithsonian Saga. It was a frightening turn of the page as that which faced us was entirely blank. Our previous chapters were becoming redundant. The plot had become weak. Perhaps there was too much action which left very little substance in the body of the story. Ultimately we discovered we were no longer even on the same page... Our Story needed revising!

This newest chapter is unlike any account we have ever written. Each page is filled with adventure, suspense, action, and romance. It is in fact a conglomeration of little short stories as we jump through blank pages every day enjoying the freedom of creative writing. Some days we marvel at the divine happenstance that takes us by surprise. Other days we relish the more lucid moments that make meaning of chaos and metaphors.

Yesterday's page reintroduced old friends. It was an extremely fascinating regurgitation of history for the kids and a deep reconnection for us. There were retellings of old chapters, short versions of missed chapters, and endless recitations filled with laughter and amusement. There were sober moments as well, as some pages have inevitably been stained with tears and grief. Others continue to be wrinkled with challenges. It amazes me though how Our Story, as small and insignificant as it seems, is continuously guided by The Divine to mingle with Other's Stories in a Global Manuscript. Perhaps that is why God is considered the Author and Finisher of Heaven and Earth. Some days, most days in fact, we have no idea of the eternal significance of our lives. But as we turn each page - which is never an option for the pages turn themselves - we discover the plot has substance, the perceptions change, the romance deepens, and the meaning clarifies. Sometimes we just need to jump onto a blank page!