We Are Family

Dear Byron,

Its been a while. Anyway, it was so good to see you and the rest of the family this past Thanksgiving. We sure had plenty to eat, didn't we? In this picture you are sitting behind Grandma Cheryl. And guess what you're sitting on. You probably can't. It is an old highchair that my Momma used for me way, way back when I was your age. And it was around even before that. I tell you this to remind you that our family goes back and out in many directions. And now you're a part of it.

 And we're always ready to pull you up in our arms and love you—because we love you so very much.

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the greatest season in the year, the Christmas season. Its the time when we remember that Jesus was once a little bitty baby, born in a barn or a cave used as a stable for cows and donkeys. He was born in a family very, very much poorer than ours. His Momma and Daddy couldn't even find a comfortable place to sleep the night he was born. So he was born in that barn.

All that reminds us of how much Jesus loves families and how much he loves you, Byron.

Here's a picture of you petting a goat at the zoo in Houston during this weekend. Wasn't she soft and kind though? She let you brush her with that special brush. We can't see her face, but that's your Cousin Kjerstyn holding the brush for you. By the way, she turned 13 a couple weeks back. We celebrated her birthday, along with your Uncle Patrick's, and Aunt Cassie's during the weekend. Neat. Birthdays and family time together. 

We all need families to hold us in their arms, to pick us up when we're feeling bad and to show us where to go next. And when we make mistakes, as we all do, to forgive us and show us how to get up and on the way again. You can see in the photo on the right that your Daddy and Mommy are ready to do that for you—forever. And so are the rest of us in your family. We were with you at the zoo on a bright sunny Saturday.

We're also remembering the kids that don't have families to take care of them. In her work your GGMa helps special people find families to care for those kids. You should be very proud of the work that she does. We all certainly are.

Here's a poem I found on the internet that pulls it all together.

We Are A Family

When we get together,

Good times are loud

And most times, too fattening.

Arguments are wordless

And apologies are unneeded.

New memories are made 

When we come together. 

We’re more than just friends; 

We are family. 

We love you, Byron, 

GGPa