Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. John F. Kennedy

My Boys

Yesterday I found out that the neighbors had to put one of their dogs down. It was an older golden retriever that had been a part of the neighborhood since they moved in 5-6 years ago. They have a grand-daughter that lives with them. She’s experienced a lot of loss in her life and I called C to give some unsolicited advice. I work with kids who have experienced trauma and thought this may be a retriggering of such experiences. Shelby was her favorite and when the girl was sick this dog would always be by her side. L has some serious health issues and has been in the hospital several times with the real possibility she wouldn’t be coming home. So, it gripped me and I felt sadness for L. It struck me odd that I was as moved as I was given I deal with these issues every day.

It is a common prayer of mine that my boys would have a heart that loves Father and others. We pray for our neighbors during our evening prayers before bed. “Bless them and help us to love them, Father.” When I got home last night, J showed me the golden retriever bead craft he had made to give to L to remember Shelby by. It touched me that he was being thoughtful and cared his friend. Recently, he had bought a Webkin for another friend. My sister got the boys these stuffed animals that you adopt online and then take care of them. It’s an educational, interactive game on the web. He enjoys it so much that he wanted his friend to be blessed. So my wife took them to the store and they bought the webkins for E and B.

Last night my younger son was playing on the Webkin site and told that he had bought B a doll house for her webkin because she wanted one. You can give gifts to other webkins and he was excited about the next time she gets on that she will have a gift to open. It was touching to see the thoughtfulness and compassion of a five year old.

It sounds kind of sissy for two little boys playing webkins on the computer. I’d much rather that they would beat each other up or something. You know, something to prepare them for adulthood. But it pleases me to see their heart. I am very satisfied and hopeful for their future. I pray all the time that Father would give me and H wisdom on how to raise them.

My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart also will be glad; and my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
Proverbs 23:15-16