At long last
03/30/2007 03:31 a.m.
Today my wife and I had the honor and privilege of welcoming our youngest son and his wife and two year old son to our home. He only this afternoon flew in from Iraq where he has been stationed in the Army since last summer. We had to say our painful "fare-well's" to him in September and have been trying to keep in contact by mail and by email since that time. We have the luxury of our adult daughter still at home with us, and we have the blessing of our oldest son, his wife and beautiful daughter living in the area. All of us were here to share dinner and enjoy the company of one who has been a long time apart from us.

The sun and elements have toughened the peaches and cream complexion of the blonde-headed teenager and a young man with the slimness and tone of youth has taken his place. The light-hearted nature and laughter has remained the same and has been refined to an even keener sense of humor; one that is with more experience and perspective rather than sarcasm or cynicism.

My brain and body are a wash of relief and fatigue from a very emotional day. It is so grand to have the opportunity to witness the return of a son to home! I am all but crying even now. My three children, the boys' two wives, and the two grandchildren now total seven.

I have children and they are called, 'David,' 'Jacqueline,' and 'Shawn.' I have two lovely daughters-in-law, 'Ginette' and 'Stevi-Ann.' I have two grandchildren, 'Xavier' and 'Isabelle Ann.' This makes seven children in all. How very fortunate and blessed I am.

I am falling off to sleep and will add more later.