I had a reminder pop up in my email box today that changed my “outlook” for the entire day 🙂 … You see, a reminder came in today (not that i needed it) that a beloved second mom has a celebration of another trip around the sun comin’ up … I saw the reminder and immediately did what any good son would do … Think “boy, i hope my wife got a card!” … Again, i kid, … No, really, i started thinking about so many good times we had together, the laughs, how good she made my dad feel, and my heart was instantly full …

I then started thinking about all of our family … About our nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters …  Thinking about how my little brother left this earth over 30 years ago, Toni says that she feels she knows him just from the stories i’ve shared, and i truly feel that i’ve got a brother and sister … Full stop … No need to tag the “in-law” at the end after two and half decades … I could go on and on, but, i think you know where i’m headed here …

And, thanks to our faith community and friendship, it doesn’t stop with our “in-laws” … Laying in the hospital a couple years ago, the two men that stopped by to see me i love just as much as any brother i could ever share blood with, again, full stop … Christ has given us the blueprint for how to love … He showed us perfect unconditional love and when He went to be with His father, sent His Spirit to help us create and keep those paths of commitment and fellowship that last a lifetime regardless of what runs in our veins …

Just a thought from a very grateful son who promises the card is in the mail 🙂 … Happy Birthday Connie !!!!

(ps … the pet pics are all our pets … Family not sharing blood (or even fur or feathers) but lots of love and even snacks!) …

Bible Verses

Ruth 1:6-18 / Ephesians 2:11-22

Questions

Do you have folks that you love as closely as if you were connected by blood ???