JJ's Great "DAY"

      I may have mentioned that during the years of my youth, my dad always took the time to take each of his children out on a special day we called, "Our Day," every year. From the time I was about six years old, we would take a day trip and do something of our choosing, alone with Dad. He did this with all six of his children. It was a highlight every year and we always came back with lots of fun stories and memories to share with the others.      
   During the two different services we had after Dad went to heaven,  "our days" were brought up quite often and it made an impression on Joe. He realized how much of an impact my dad had on his children by spending some quality time with them. Joe made the decision that he was going to do the same thing starting this year and so began the first of many "days" to come in the life of our five children. About a week ago, he took JJ on a white water rafting trip up in New York, something that JJ chose to do. I must admit that the adventurer inside me was quite jealous with the fact that I could not attend this trip, but my heart felt great joy knowing that Joe and JJ were getting some great quality time together. When I was little and out on my 'day' it never occurred to me how Mom might feel being left behind. With six children to go out with, she was left six times a year. Now that I get to be in her shoes I realize that she made as much of an impact on the children as my dad did. Without her saying yes to the 'days' they might not have ever happened; she could have put up a fuss and tried to keep my dad home to spend time with her, but she gave him up for our sakes. I want to say, "Thank you, Mom, for loving us so much, and for sharing Dad with us in such a way that we will always have such beautiful memories of our times together." 
     Now to get over my jealous feeling that Joe and Alaina are going to see Joseph at Sight and Sound this week. I will get over it, with God's help, and I am going to pray they have an awesome time and make some good memories together. It will last her a lifetime.