Words among other things by Jeff

Recently, Kelli blogged about Dalton being at a Crossroad and some of the struggles we face as parents with a child that is just a little different than the other kids that are around him. She got some wonderful responses to that post. Among them, an old friend of ours from high school suggested we look at Cub Scouts for Dalton. What a fantastic idea… So tonight, we went to our first pack meeting. Kelli and I weren’t really sure what we were going to be getting into, but it turns out to be a really sweet group that we are a part of. Dalton knows some of the boys in the group so they are used to him as he is. There are also a couple of other kids who seem to have challenges of their own so it’s a diverse little group.

Dalton loved every minute of it, naturally, it was a social event. He just jumps right in and makes himself part of the group. By the end of the evening, he couldn’t wait to find out when he’d get his uniform, neckerchief, and book. I believe he felt the store should have been open tonight for us to get it. The downside is this evil thing they call Pinewood Derby… Not sure at all what to think about that. This Saturday there is an opportunity to go to one of the other scout members house as he has power tools. How interesting it will be to take a turn on the scroll saw. My first turn ever… I’ll be lucky to come out of it with the right number of digits, let alone a car that will actually roll anywhere. I just might have to enlist a friend at work to help, he’s much more crafty than me.

I’m sure Kelli will be letting you know how it goes. But let me just tell you, it is really warming to see your son sift into a group so easily. Kelli and I are super-sensitive to the way people react to Dalton, especially his peers. Tonight was a blessing. Not only did the adults just let him jump right in, the kids did too. We’ll see where this goes, but it was a great start.

Kelli’s grandmother passed away today and it has really been a difficult day for she and her brother Jon. (Jon lives with us currently) You know, it’s not as if we didn’t know the day was coming, and likely sooner than later, but it is still a difficult thing. It’s easy, I guess, to rationalize death in that it is going to happen regardless of how hard we try for it not to happen, so we simplify it down to what our emotions can handle. What we forget is that the life is a person who has provided years and years of memories. That’s what end up making things so difficult. I can say that it was not a surprise that Grandmother Harness passed away and I can say without doubt that she is so much better now alongside her Lord and Savior. But, I can also say that those left with memories are a little less now to Heaven’s gain.

Grandma Harness was such a grandma, that’s all I ever knew her as. She was probably one of the three best cooks I have ever had cook for me (my mother in law and wife being the other two). She was a servant and was always ready to help, prepare, give to, whatever need was at hand. She had a sly sense of humor and you’d often catch her in the back of the room just tickled over something or someone she was watching. She always had a hug and a kind word for me. Most important though, she LOVED my wife and boys. Unconditionally and unreserved. She used to watch Dallas when he was little until one day Kelli came home and Dallas had started the bed on fire. That was it for her and babysitting him. But, she still loved him like crazy. I will never forget the gathering before Kelli and I left Arkansas in ‘99. Grandma Harness pulled me to the side and we were chatting. She looked me in the eye and told me to be sure and take care of Kelli Ann, and her boys. Nothing else really was important other than I do that for her. Well, I intend to hold to that promise and do all that I can.

I will miss Grandma Harness and all that she brought to the family. She has left a tremendous legacy that will be difficult to live up to. But, as I would imagine she would say in her understated way, take care of your family regardless and put the Lord at the head.