We have two phones that sit on our dining room table. One is black and the other is purple. Well, it’s not exactly purple, but it’s in that family! (g)

For the past few days, every time the purple phone rings, we leap to answer it. Why? The answer is pretty simple. That’s the phone that’s going to give us the news that our newest grandbaby has finally arrived – Eric RAY Meyer. “Ray” is my middle name also. I have to wait and ask Eric if he will still let me use it!

About ten weeks ago, Eric Ray tried to arrive way too early. Through prayer and good medical supervision, Beth was able to keep him where he needed to be until now. Two or three days ago, Mark called and she was in labor. Then she wasn’t. All we really know for sure is that he has to make his presence felt pretty soon. Another of our grandsons, Ben, is hoping he holds out until his birthday, July 11. Possible, but not too likely.

What prompted me to share all this stuff with you? If you read my pieces regularly, you already know how important family is to me. However, we often put families together in unusual and beautiful ways. For instance, when I met and married Pat after the death of my wife, I immediately became a granddaddy. (I was marrying a grandmother, but I was not yet a grandfather.) I inherited a lovely eighteen month old sweet thing named Jessica. She immediately became a major light in my firmament.

I’ve been reminded this week about how precious family members are, especially kids,.no matter how we acquire them. Our daughter, Kathleen, inherited two sons when she married William. This gave us two more grandkids. Wow! They are God’s special gift to us. We’ve included them and loved them from our first contact. We’ve even done Dollywood together! (g)

Well, we’re nearing the end of a whole week together. What a week it’s been. We’ve done malls, parks, beaches, etc., and tonight we’re going to take in fireworks. Tomorrow we’re going to Sea World. We’re behaving just like you’d expect any normal, loving family to behave. Does it matter that some of our family has been grafted in? Naaaaawwwwww! Once God brought us together, that was it for Pat and me.

Adopted? Doesn’t mean we’re loved less. Could be we were especially chosen and loved even a teensy-weensy bit more. Not always, but often that’s the case. Divorce? Horrible thing, but it doesn’t need to mar the rest of our lives. We don’t always have choices about the early twists and turns of our lives, but our Father sees and knows. (Romans 8:28) He is the Great Restorer, Repairer, Fixer. He does need our cooperation, though.

So, however your family came to be what it is today, ENJOY and APPRECIATE! If you want to share your stories with me and/or comment on what I’ve shared, just use the “Leave a Reply” box below!

– Looking forward to hearing additional on “Inside Out.” Glad it is back on the web for all of us to read. Enjoyed this piece. There are times we want to see the uglies in society; however, there are really wonderful, decent, and good people out there wanting to show God’s love in their own way. Sometimes we just need to open our eyes to His beauty available in other people. What a thought!

– It is good to have you back online. Hubby and I were just talking about your articles. They have been missed a great deal. I definitely am one that looks forward to what is going on with “Inside Out” and Papa J!!

     Isn’t it wonderful to get to have time alone with your grandchildren? My oldest son and his family (two girls 7 and almost 3) will be here on the 4th. I am busily trying to declutter my home so we can enjoy more. Besides, it is overdue for a good cleaning.

     Sounds to me like you and Rachael had a wonderful time and God blessed you richly. PTL! I really do not have a lot of comments this time but wanted to say “HI” and let you know that you were missed!! I love sightseeing and really enjoy traveling when we are able.

– Sounds like you and your grandaughter, Rachel, had loads of fun on your trip! I’m really glad! It makes me happy to know that there are close “knit” families other than my own!

     About the “pack rat” thing. Mom and I used to carry on about Dad keeping everything. I mean EVERY little “wat-not” he kept. He didn’t throw anything away!! Mom and I grumbled because of it until we moved! When we started packing our OWN STUFF, we relized we kept our share of, what Dad calls, “junk”. HAHA!! So it’s just the person’s point of view of what is being called “junk”. Nobody really has “junk” and nobody is really a “pack rat” because everybody has a sentimental point of view on something! Having three small brothers and two small sisters, I have accumilated a printer box full of little notes, cards, crayon pictures, etc., but I can’t bring myself to throw them away! So I just keep them all! I also keep Newspaper clippings, News letters, B-day cards, Christmas cards, and I now have 48 graduation cards to add to the list! HAHA!! I even have some old Barbie dolls! Guess everybody has a “pack rat” bone in them! Even if it’s a tiny one! HAHA!!

– I can tell you are going to have some wonderful articles coming up for “Inside Out”. It is good to have you back…grin

     I think it is wonderful how God provided the need of a camera….and right down to the last detail, just like the “Father” that He is to us. Things like this show just how our relationship with God is very personal. =)

– Great going! Your trip sounds delightful. Keep on sending us bits and pieces of it for it makes me feel as if I got to go along.

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