No, it's Thursday today

For some reason I was up before dawn this morning. Perhaps it's because two of my children were not under my roof last night.

I like listening to my heater run. Weird, I know. It has a soothing, white noise and it's probably because I've lived in the same house on and off since 1974. There is a small comfort in sound of the warm air twisting through its vents.

I talked to my oldest last night. He's doing well. We have a little logistics problem with some clothes. We made the decision to put his good clothes in a garment bag. Next time we won't but that won't help for now. I think we have it figured out.

My daughter is coming home from the youth group retreat. I have no doubt she had a great time but today she will be a basic blob. They've all slept but it's not been a good sleep, like the one you get in your own bed.

Harrey the youngest had a pretty good day. He played with two friends who live nearby almost all afternoon. He left a message for another friend who didn't call back; people have company or their parents are off and they do things. But for me, my heart breaks a little because he has no friends at school. But at least they don't bother or bully him. It's like he's not there; I wish I didn't understand, but I do. He is itching to go to youth group at our church. I am so glad he has that to look forward to. And in February he will be an official Boy Scout. They do a lot of outings and he is going to love it. In spite of everything he has a lot to look forward to.

Today I'm picking up my daughter and 3 other kids and taxi-ing them home. Then it's out to breakfast with a couple of friends; it's a twice yearly breakfast, so it seems. Then I will pick up a senior citizen at my church and we'll go shopping.

My friend Delia is a former missionary's wife. Her husband cheated on her with a close friend and left her when the friend became pregnant. And this when she was close to retiring. Her youngest took the breaking of the family hard and fell into alcohol for consolation. After many prayers on his behalf, he was blessed to enter into a Christian rehab and has turned his life around. For now. The cynic in me is cautiously optimistic.

I've never seen bitterness on Dela's part. She acknowledges her own contribution to the demise of her marriage and has even offered forgiveness to her former friend. The former friend will not receive it because she's too ashamed, I guess. I would hope. In a way I think it would be hard to offer such forgiveness but in a way I've done it myself with my former husband.

I journal this because I want to remember my friend and for my children someday to understand Dela. She is a true saint who prays for my family and who I am privileged to help with rides and trips to the store.

The sun's up on this gray morning; at least somewhere it's up. Time to meet the day.