title

The oh so charming nephew Stephen called and we chatted a bit. His wife, Julie still will not come back or work on the marriage. This no longer surprises me as I've had to reevaluate her the past month or so. While sinned against and having a MAJOR right to be hacked off and expect a husband to ACT the part this 'tough love' process seems to have the effect of keeping the pot at a seething level rather then cooling things down.

When I moan and groan about my three guttersnipes in the back of the brain cells I'm haunted by the fact that my poor older sister Elaine has the tribulations of Job on her with her pack. They are a mixed bunch that behaved when they were little but went very astray when reaching the age of consent. My guttersnipes did most of their mischief in the teen years.

Jim is slowly coming along. He has grown in the last eight years but still has that stubborn independent streak that keeps him from his potential. Needs to be more of a team player and a bit better at keeping his word and commitments. He means well but tends to open mouth before doing the summing up and counting the cost. Second son Dan is the amazing one. Everything he touches is as gold. The young ladies adore him to the point of boredom. I take it personally as I had to earn all my crumbs of wild oats with little true value until the long suffering one took pity on me and removed me from the market. (I have found it a bit unsettling that I've had more attention as a married man then I ever did as a single.) Dan has a house, a career and a future. Sandy has settled down as a mother and wife and slowly but surely is attempting to act on some of her dreams. I suspect she'll take after me as I accomplish most things taken for granted later then most. But she is easily contented as I am (for the most part--I just like to keep up with the bills and do my collecting.

Now in the midst of the call from Stephen he shared with me the BEST time he ever had with his father. They had gone to a movie together as a birthday outing and had a great time. Indiana Jones and Last Crusade. Now he had stated that his dad was mad at him right now for all the time spent in the never ending pity party Stephen's trapped in--echoes of Joe Walsh--Hard to leave when you can't find the door. His dad, Gary is the most mellow man I know. Mother Teresa is a harpy in comparison. For Gary to be angry tells me it's really sadness at the state of things.

I suggest that Stephen simply tell his father about how much that movie date meant to him.

But ---

Sigh. I nudge a bit. Point out that this a good thing and parents derive great joy from such a small seeming blessing.

The Mtpspur magical true life momemnts that ought to but don't quite come off is true to form.

He just can't do it.

That's ok. I assure him my guttersnipes haven't said they love me (or Ruth) in years though they are ok at saying thank you for this and that at least.

But the heart craves the validation at times.

Then I think how little I tell the Lord Christ I love Him and I laugh somewhat ruefully and bow the head in acceptance. The time will come and we live in hope. Which is better when the mood swings and the darkness that threatens the soul. Since the mid-life crisis I've been getting better at telling the kids I love them and then backing it up with reasons why so they don't think I'm just after Avengers comics or candy bars.

And God is still good.

NEXT: The viewing is Wednesday and the origin of the brown suit.