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This past Easter Ruth spent the weekend with her Indiana friend Amy, visiting her church and seeing her family.

Part of the visit was seeing Amy's grand-daughter by way of son and girl friend. The young couple had split up and he was away at training for the Air National Guard this past week or so. Kandis Marie would be two on June 15th per Ruth. She told me today about how delighted she was to see Ruth and was open to any and all strangers with that childlike trust so precious when it is unspoiled. The young lady definitely knew who the Easter bunny was and was a happy part of the trip. For which I am now very glad Ruth got to go on.

Today was file day at the Bookery and the long suffering one had given me $10 in which I bought the latest Justice Society of America (#14), The Last Defenders (#2) miniseries and two cheap Avengers (Vol 3 #26 and 30) upping the total to 119. I had marriage benefits on the mind as a way of adding spice to this rather ho-hum vacation. I had spent some time talking to Tim about this and that and had been gone for about an hour.

Upon my return around 2:45 pm I log into the temporarily abandoned computer to see the latest comments if any on the blog. I logged via Ruth's side for a short cut as she was in the bathroom doing lady stuff and I 'X'ed a IM message assuming she could retrieve it at will.

This shows my complete ignorance of what an IM is. Fortunately I at least noticed the name on it without reading it. I do try hard to ignore her side of the computer.

I see no comments--exit out--reveal to Ruth I had tampered with an IM with the unintentional deletion for which she forgave me. The name was Amy's sister who Ruth is somewhat acquainted with. Had no reason to suppose anything unusual going on so I start to prepare myself for a leisurely half hour read.

Yet five minutes later I'm still not ready to settle in and I believe by the providence of God I was drawn back into Ruth's Sanctum Sanctorium as I refer to her study/computer/spare bedroom (the title is meant as a joke to Ruth and a reference to Marvel's Doctor Strange and his domicile).

My wife is quietly weeping at the keyboard. Not two hours ago (1 pm) little Kandis had choked to death on cereal. God has taken back His gift to Himself. Little Kandis is now in the arms of Heaven and Rachel is weeping for her children and cannot be comforted.

I assure Ruth that this is the mercy of God and His ways are often unclear as we had an unborn child once who is the only perfect guttersnipe amongst my brood as a result. One of my desires in Heaven is to see that child brought to perfection and welcomed as the father he/she never knew in the earthly days.

I read parts of Psalm 127 and 128 to Ruth and leave her in peace for a bit.

She leaves a voice mail message for Amy and I often wish I had friends like Ruth in my time of need.

The days ahead will be sad but the future remains bright and God is STILL GOOD!!!!