Remember me trying to teach Annabelle how not to cry over every little bump and bruise? Well, we had our first scraped knee this weekend. She was scootering around the driveway. Kim and I were visiting with our neighbor Miss Kimmy and her lovely puppy Rosie. All of a sudden there came an enormous thump–the sound a body makes when it hits the rear fender of a 2004 Dodge Dakota (crew cab, to be precise.) We could see splayed arms and legs from under the truck, and we feared the worst–that she had scratched the truck with the scooter handle.
No, I’m only kidding. Partly. I know that no child has ever died from injuries sustained while scootering in the driveway. But dear Annabelle had indeed scraped her little knee. She had a nice brush burn, and she was doing her best to hold back the tears. We got her cleaned up, and told her that it was ok to cry when she really hurts, when she ‘s in pain. I think she understood, and she let those hot, wet tears roll.
A few minutes later, she was fine, and we played a little basketball before she ran off to join her sisters on the trampoline.
Sunday was a beautiful day in Happy Valley. We hosted a little luncheon celebration for the folks who volunteer at midtown. Clem’s barbecue was delicious like always. Aaron let me handle the ordering of the food, which was ok. I was supposed to make sure that we had all the paper plates, forks, drinks, etc, as well. I asked Mr Clem (not his real name, to protect his identity) what else I needed to pull off the lunch, and he said that everything was covered. However, when Jess arrived with the food, I asked her if she also had the necessary paper products, and she looked at me as though I asked if she had a third arm. But a quick run to the neighborhood Weis Market covered my gaffe.
While we waited, I asked the folks to share some of the places that they’ve seen God at work in their lives and the people at midtown. We had a good chance to share, to encourage each other, and to say thanks to God and each other for what’s going on.
Now, to the accidental kid-taking. We have been accustomed to watching a little girl for a family we’re friends with. She usually comes over one night a week. Tonight, as Kim picked the girls up from their rehearsal, the little girl came running out with our girls and jumped into the truck. For some reason, I asked if Kim had talked to her parents before bringing her home. A few minutes later, her dad called to ask if we had his daughter. Turns out that she wasn’t supposed to come home with us. Uh-oh! The dad was very gracious, and we all laughed about it. I think we’ll make sure we talk to her parents from now on before absconding with their daughter.
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