Conversation Overheard

I was in Walmart last night to buy a ball for Aidan to replace the one that got dead last week and overheard a conversation in the same aisle. It was a father talking to his young son who looked to be about 5 years old. Dad was holding out a toy to his son and said he'd buy it for him if he would "be good" from now on. "You have to listen and do what grandma tells you or I won't buy it for you". Not a word from the boy. Then grandma chimes in with "no more sass and saying 'no' when I tell you what to do" and more in a hostile, angry voice that I can't remember word for word and then she said this to her grandson: "I haven't liked you since you started talking".

I turned in time to see the boy turn away from his grandma looking down at the toy in his hand with his lip trembling. I'm not a violent person but in that moment I wanted to grab her by her bleached blond hair and punch her face in.

This conversation has dogged me all day today. I hurt so much for that little boy. I pray he has someone in his life who loves him without conditions attached, even when he acts naughty or mean. I pray that, somehow, he learns how to love unconditionally.

I've worried at times about Aidan's less-than-conventional life. He doesn't have the traditional "two parent household" that some kids have. But what he does have are people who love him unconditionally. Two families who delight in him, enjoy him and spend time with him. Two sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as his parents, who love him without boundaries, even when his behavior is less than loveable. And that is how he loves us.

How will that little boy from Walmart learn to love?

Tony's Engaged!

Tony and his girlfriend, Paige, are getting married! We're so delighted to welcome her to our family. She's just as beautiful inside as out.

My Baby Turned 25...

...back on June 22. Better late than never I guess. I have some catching up to do on this blog! We celebrated with dinner at Soho with Lily, Aidan and Jake.

Paranormal Activity

This is the scariest movie I've ever seen.

Trailers & Clips: Paranormal Activity - Trailer

A Grandmother's Privilege

I can't help being completely enamored of this boy. I don't remember what I did for entertainment before he came into our lives.

Happy Halloween!

Wondering...

I saw this headline in the South Bend Tribune this morning and laughed out loud:

Potato Creek goose hunt set

Isn't "goose hunt" an oxymoron? I mean, seriously, is it necessary to hunt a goose? From what I've seen they kind of just waddle around. They barely move from in front of my car even if I honk the horn at them. How much stealth would be required to take out a goose?

Just wondering...