Hugging God

Tyler is a touchy-feely kind of guy. He always has been, even as a newborn. His favorite form of touch is hugging. Usually if you're anywhere in his vicinity, he's trying to hug you. He's even been known to take a flying leaping hug at someone when they're not ready.

So I was very interested to hear his response tonight at bedtime when he asked me, "You know why I love hugging, Mama?" I figured he might say something about liking to be close to people, but I was downright blessed when he explained:

"....and you know how a long time ago you said that doing things for people is like doing things for God?"

(I think he was probably thinking of my loose paraphrase of Matthew 25:40, which says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.")

"....well, that's why I like hugging you. It's like hugging God. Because if I show love to you, it's like I'm showing love to God."

And you know, I think he might be on to something. Can't you feel God loving you through other people sometimes? I think the lesson here is- don't be stingy with your hugs. Somebody might need you to be God's arms of love around them right now.

A squirrellly story

Down the street, near the mailbox, a little squirrel makes its home in the bushes. We see him pop in and out of the bushes now and then, bringing home whatever he's collected that day.

Earlier today I was thinking I hadn't seen him in a while. "Wonder what happened to the squirrel with all the snow we got?"

Brian quickly assured me, "He froze his nuts off."

One can try

Colby peeked over my shoulder and discovered me browsing Amazon for a pair of new heels.

Colby: Looking at high tops?

Me (laughing on the inside): Yep

Colby: Trying to look like a lady?

We both had a good laugh, and I thought to myself, "One can try, I suppose!"

It all makes sense now

One day, I'm not sure how long ago, Colby was looking through our bookshelves for something new to read and found "The Treasure Principle," by Randy Alcorn. It's a book about generous giving, but I'm pretty sure that's not what attracted him. The small size and the fact that it was a grown-up book really sealed the deal.

Fast forward to today, when Tyler found the book lying around. He began to read it in his adorable kindergarden way, which of course means he made it all up. He began, "And there was to be a treasure, and the principal would find it." Pause. "Ohhhh, that's why it's called The Treasure Principal!"

He went on to regale us with the adventures of the treasure principal, including the principal's liberal use of rocket boots.

Overheard in a public restroom

(A little boy was in the women's restroom waiting for his mom, who was in one of the stalls.)

___________________
Are you going yet?

Ohhhh, now you're going.

....

Going potty, mama?

...

Still going?

....

Are you wiping now, mama?

...

Are you still old, mama?

How old are you anyway?

____________

Fortunately Tyler & I were alone in the bathroom. ;)

Brian was lecturing Colby because he was complaining about not having anything to play with in the car, even though there were several toys on the seat beside him. Brian's final comment was, "It sounds like you just won't be happy then, Colby."

That's when little brother piped up from the back seat and said, "Yah! You can be like that little piggy. He cried alllll the way home."

Showing my age?

This morning Colby asked me how old I was. When I told him 32, his eyes got all big and his mouth dropped open. After getting over the shock, he exclaimed,

"I can't believe you're that OLD, and you don't even look old!!!"

Over dinner, Colby was talking about wanting an iPhone. He wanted to know if he could get one when he was older, how much they cost, and how long it would take to save up that much.

I explained to him how the phone itself has a price, and then you have to pay a fee every month to be able to use it. In our case, it's about $120. Having recently received about $100 in birthday money from various donors, he had a rough idea of how much that was. He gets $20/month in allowance, so he quickly realized that he'd need a big raise before signing up for an iPhone.

Later in the evening, he said to me, "Mama, your iPhone must be really special to you."

Not sure I wanted to hear the answer, I asked, "Why?"

"Because you have to pay for it. I mean, you pay more than $10 for it! That's like... a lot!"


I was just glad he didn't say, "Because you use it ALL THE TIME."

In a minute....

Perhaps you had to be here, but...

Colby was calling to Tyler to come play, not knowing Tyler was in the bathroom. And it was one of those long bathroom trips, if you know what I mean.

So Tyler yelled out from the bathroom,

"I'll be there in a minute! ....or two... or three

...or four....or five"

RIP Arnie

Most of you know that two firemen died in the Station fire yesterday. Some of you might not know that one of them, Arnie Quinones, was the nicest guy you could ever meet. Talk to anyone who ever knew him, and they'd quickly tell you their lives were the better for it.

Arnie was a couple years older than me in school. His girlfriend, and later, wife, Lori was a grade ahead of me, and Arnie was two years ahead of her. We went to a small school, though, so we all knew each other. However, that didn't mean the older high school students cared much for the annoying junior highers hanging around campus. And certainly none of them took much notice of me, a nerdy tall girl with glasses.

But Arnie was different. I don't claim to have been his good friend, and I technically only went to school with him for two years, though I hung around that school for four years more after I left. But I can honestly say that every interaction I ever had with him was positive. He *always* smiled and laughed, and made the others around him do the same. His joy was infectious. He made me feel like I was a friend of his.

I lost touch with Arnie & Lori after high school, like so often happens. But rest assured I never forgot him. I know he and Lori made a great life together and that Lori will have many happy memories to reflect on and share with their soon-to-be-born baby. I know his brotherhood of firefighters will make sure that his son or daughter knows what a fine firefighter and colleague Arnie was. And my hope is that this little one will always be proud of his/her daddy, who died a hero.

Much love and many prayers to the friends and family, especially to Lori and the baby. RIP Arnie. You made this world and my life a happier place.

Arnie in a picture from one of my yearbooks