Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Almost all the best photos from yesterday fall under the “Mr. T. is not cleared for the Internet” category. His parents left him with us so they could enjoy another three-hour plus date and there are some priceless pictures. Best of all, though, are the images written on our hearts, as we feel so privileged to spend the time together and continue to put in place these important building blocks for a lifelong relationship as grandparents, albeit mostly from over 7,000 miles away.

Mr. T. has quite the distinct personality; he is extremely intelligent, unusually articulate, polite but fiercely committed to his view of every situation, and with a stubborn streak a mile wide! At the same time, it is so cool to see how just a few short hours together have made such a positive impact on his willingness to be part of our world – rather than a spectator insisting on doing his own thing! We love him so much, and his cousins are thrilled to have him with them at “Camp Grandparent.”

Two Portraits:

The two portraits I do have to share come from just before Naomi, Craig, and Geoffrey headed south to Orlando.

The one with my mum – Beks, Naomi, and great-grandma Grace – is especially poignant. I also love the other, featuring Naomi, Rebekah, and our cousin Zandra.

Rebekah was heading off to physical therapy on her feet and ankle, Naomi was driving south to Orlando, and Zandra was making her way back to Georgia.

Family stuff is intense, exhausting, wonderful, and brief. We count our blessings, take a deep breath, then (try to) get the house back to normal.

This time, however, David, Beks, Andrew, Alicia, and Mr. T. are still in Wake Forest, so there are many more stories to come.

As the scripture from Corinthians continues to teach us, love is something we practice; it is rooted in patience and kindness, and it finds its future defined by faith and hope – DEREK