Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Cullen Brown is one tough little guy

Cullen is my brother Eric's son. Just a day ago this little guy was one brave little man. Cullen had been ill for a number of days with walking pneumonia . It became obvious to Eric and Marilyn that Cullen's illness had taken a twist when he awoke in the morning. He was in great pain and was unable to walk. They rushed him in an ambulance to John Hopkins and spent the entire day there. By days end and many tests later the doctors concluded he had Transient Synovitis. As any parent knows it is a very hard thing to desire with all your heart and strength to help your innocent child but have no means to attain it. Thanks be to doctors, medicine, hospitals, and desperate but effective prayers. God is indeed good. Cullen is on the road to recovery.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

When Toilet Paper Humbles


Years ago when Josh was about fourteen, he and the rest of our kids, Amanda, Matt, and Kara where misbehaving one evening. Nothing bad, just kids being kids; picking on one another and being silly in a somewhat uncontrolled manner. At least one who I won't reveal except to say he's our second son and his name is Matt had a little too much sugar. Amanda was being giddy as if that night was any different. Does the word "girl" derive from "giddy" somehow? Well after what seemed to me like hours, but in reality was only 25 minutes. I decided that I had been patient enough (Proverbs 16:32) and fully justified to invoke my God ordained father power. How nice of me. I bellowed "Everyone to bed! Noooo Mooorre TALKING!" After shoeing them up to bed with all the kindness of a scrooge I expected silence. Have you ever did something inappropriate like being, ahem - impatient, but didn't let your self think about it. Once I caught Sue's look out of the corner of my eye I knew that I had been exposed. I didn't let that get in the way though. I was bent on making my point and ensuring that the kids behaved. This night I was king and I was in the right.

After about four minutes of quiet Josh broke my peace with the call - Dad! Daaaad! Daaaaaaaad! Trying to ignore him I sat silent but he was persistent. A definite quality they get from Sue. Daaaaaaaaaaaad! I jumped from my chair , neck mussels tight, and yelled in the repressed sound of a french horn "I said be QUIET!" Silence immediate befell on the entire house. That is until Matt quietly called down "Dad Josh needs toilet paper." Pride goes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18)

Sunday, September 7, 2008