Dear Father,<\/p>\n
Once again I’ve managed to get very behind on this.\u00a0 But I can’t complain.\u00a0 You’ve kept me busy.\u00a0 And happily busy.<\/p>\n
I want to write about the cruise and all that followed.\u00a0 I feel very, very blessed and I think one day I might want to look back on my thoughts from soon after.\u00a0 However, I had some great assignments before that and I don’t want to skip over them.\u00a0 We also had some big events in Dyeland and I don’t feel right skipping past them, either.<\/p>\n
June 30th was Vincent’s and Catherine’s 3rd wedding anniversary.\u00a0 There was a party Below.\u00a0 It’s been wonderful watching their love for each other grow and I’m glad we had a reason to celebrate it.\u00a0 It was a lot of fun because this was the first time Jacob was really old enough to enjoy the party and even understand the meaning behind it a little.<\/p>\n
Then we celebrated July 4th with fireworks and a cook-out.\u00a0 The kids were thrilled.<\/p>\n
In mid-July I had that assignment with Brigid in Dublin.\u00a0 What a great lady!\u00a0 I’ll have to show off some of the step-dancing I learned from her when Monica stops by again. \u00a0 I hope Colleen’s doing alright without her aunt to guide her.\u00a0 I mean I know Brigid’s still watching over her.\u00a0 So are You.\u00a0 Thank You.\u00a0 It’s always easier to leave someone behind when I know You never do.<\/p>\n
Let’s see… on the 20th of July we had a low key party to celebrate JABB’s anniversary.\u00a0 Or was that the 19th?\u00a0 It was fun.\u00a0 Although it’s a little weird to celebrate the anniversary of your friends writing jokes and poems about you.<\/p>\n
July 24th was Laja’s 28th.\u00a0 Vincent had a great idea this year.\u00a0 Since they could never do much outside when she was little, he organized a party around all those activities.\u00a0 So there were a bunch of us adults playing Hide-and-G0-Seek, throwing water balloons, and climbing trees right along with the kids.\u00a0 I even tried hopscotch again.\u00a0 I’m pretty hopeless.\u00a0 I guess You left the hopscotch ability out when You created me.\u00a0 0:-)\u00a0 I’m glad Laja liked the Celtic cross.\u00a0 I wanted to get her something meaningful and that would always remind her of You.\u00a0 And, you know, it’s fun to be sneaky sometimes.\u00a0 I was the one that had to talk her into breakfast away from Dyeland that morning so she wouldn’t suspect.<\/p>\n
And then it happened…\u00a0 I showed up in an apartment I’d never seen before and found myself staring at a clown suit, neon green wig, and very large shoes.\u00a0 And Buttons the Clown was born (named so in Rose’s and LJA’s honor).\u00a0 I’ll admit I was a little flustered when I found out what You had in store.\u00a0 But I really loved being a clown!\u00a0 It was great to make all those kids so happy… and my friends once Mick let the word out.\u00a0 I’ll have to remember I have no guarantee of privacy when I’m working a case only a few miles from our PI friend.<\/p>\n
I’m very happy that Timothy is getting the help and love he needs and deserves.\u00a0 That poor little boy was shouldering way too many burdens.\u00a0 Father, sometimes I find myself feeling something like envy.\u00a0 I know it’s wrong but I still feel it.\u00a0 It’s such an incredible, amazing thing to have a little life entrusted to you.\u00a0 And to see people not appreciate that gift…\u00a0 I know I’ll never be a father.\u00a0 I do.\u00a0 And I would never not want to be an angel.\u00a0 But I can’t imagine ever not appreciating that gift if I could have it.\u00a0 But at least, sometimes, you let me be a clown.\u00a0 Or a teacher.\u00a0 Or a pediatrician.\u00a0 Or You let me spend time in the Tunnels or at the Phoenix.\u00a0 Thank You.<\/p>\n
And then came the cruise.\u00a0 I’ll get to that eventually but right now I have an assignment to meet.<\/p>\n
Love,<\/p>\n
Andrew<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dear Father, Once again I’ve managed to get very behind on this.\u00a0 But I can’t complain.\u00a0 You’ve kept me busy.\u00a0 And happily busy. I want to write about the cruise and all that followed.\u00a0 I feel very, very blessed and … Continue reading