How Blessed am I!

It has been a few days, well weeks for me and the blog. I have not really been able to post. To much going on, and to little time. But today I thought I would give it a try.

Over the last two weeks I have been blessed with have two young mien join my household, as visitors. They are 9 and 12 years old, the brothers of my nephews friend. They had to come to the graduation party, and have yet to leave. It has been a blessing for me, I am enjoying all the noise and activity in my house. But I do think my dog Waldo, who is 17 years old, is a little sick of it all. Last night the 2 boys along with my nephew all went to spend the night at my sister’s house, she has a pool, so the house was my own, sort of. Currently my sister is painting my front room, so the house is a mess, but it was quiet. Waldo seemed to enjoy it more than me, he was relaxed and calm. The poor thing loves kids, but his energy levels just aint there. For a 17-year-old dog (over 100 in dog years, based on his size) he is extremely healthy and active, but a 9 and 12-year-old can wear anyone out.

Last night I was able to read a book, man did I miss that, I have not had any quiet time to do so. It was only to be a few days that they stayed over, but as it turns out, it looks like it will be a tad bit longer. As the story goes, their mother is struggling to make it, and by me having the boys she is able to take care of a few things, and try to figure out what to do next. I am more than happy to help out in this manner, but I was not expecting it. So now a little order needs to come into play. I need to establish a quiet time, a time for me to read and relax before I hit the bed for the night. I need to establish a flow to the day and night, so they to can take comfort in the security of a schedule. Boys are a lot of work!

This experience is a blessing for me, and I pray for them also. I look forward to seeing them and talking to them about all the important things in their lives. Well important to a 9 and 12 year old, such as what birthday present they want or Christmas gift they want, yes they are already making a list and checking it twice. The funny thing is, I just meet them, two weeks ago, and on the second or third day they were already expecting to come be over on Christmas and holding their birthday parties at my house. God Bless children, so simple and direct. We all could learn from them.

My sister and I became Uncle Paul and Aunt Carol with in a few days, its funny how that happens. One day we don’t even know they exist, the next day they are family. You just got to love the simplicity of a child’s mind, the trust they place in us and the ability to love so easy. We really could learn a few life lessons from them.

Last night I talked to their mother on the phone for about 30 minutes or so, I really don’t no her, never seen her, I just know her older boy, my nephews friend. But the conversation was good, and in a way it seems as if we have known each other for years, and her boys spending 2 or 3 weeks at my house was a normal summer activity. She is from Africa and is currently struggling to make it, like many in Michigan. She works but just can’t seem to make enough money to cover rent and food and other needs. So by me and my sister taking the boys she is able to think about what she needs to do, she is able to take care a few things that would be difficult to do if she had them with her. She can put her mind at rest knowing that he kids will be fed and taken care of. Really its a simple thing I am doing, but it offers her a piece of mind that she would not have if they were home and she had to figure out how to get food in the house. I am glad to offer my help, I am glad to be a good Samaritan. I am blessed to have the opportunity.

As a Catholic/Christian I am called to help others, we all are, each in our own ways. Some by donating to goodwill or St. Vincent DePauls, others by offering their talents to charities. Me, I open my home and make new families. I have gained 2 more nephews, how blessed am I!

God willing their mother will figure out how to make it all work, and if I can help out in any way I will be more than happy too. In the long run it benefits me as well as them, society also benefits by the 2 boys seeing that the world is not a cold and dark place, but one of open arms and doors. They now have a house they can always call home.

God Bless

Paul