"Meet the Neighbors"

Last Friday, Patra accompanied the girls and grandchildren to Busch Gardens. Adam was assigned the responsibility to babysit me. Although I wasn’t feeling great, I asked him to take me to the Christian bookstore to buy a Mother’s Day card.

As soon as I entered the store, I began to get light-headed. I quickly selected a card and proceeded to the checkout counter.

I can only imagine how bad I must have looked. Here was a skinny bald guy who was having trouble breathing (much less talking) with his son trying to keep him upright. I was afraid I would pass out, which would probably not be good for business and rather distracting to the other customers behind me. (I just hate it when that happens.)

Then, in one of those special moments of grace, the employee reached across the counter, took my arm and began to pray a prayer of healing for me. I confess that one of the best parts of her praying was that I now had an excuse to close my eyes. I also confess that I silently prayed that her prayer not be too long or I would be saying “Amen” from the floor. When she finished, I couldn’t say much of anything but somehow completed my purchase and Adam got me to the car.

In a couple of weeks, when I am feeling good, I want to go back and thank her. I pray that her act of kindness will be an inspiration to me when I see others who are in distress.

We have had several special friends come visit with us the last couple of weeks. Thanks! On Saturday morning, two of the men in my Bible study came over with their wives to walk with me. After our walk, Patra made breakfast and we had a great time of fellowship. Before they left, they prayed for Patra and for me. I couldn’t help but think that their physically walking with me was a picture of how they and many others have “walked with me” through this journey. I appreciate them giving up a Saturday morning to encourage and support me. I pray that I will remember to “walk with others” who need encouragement and support.

Patra says she had a great Mother’s Day because she was able to spend time with all of the children and grandchildren. After we posted my picture last week with the grandchildren, I knew she couldn’t wait until Mother’s Day to get her own picture.


Today I finish my trilogy of children stories. I thank Jenny, Emily and Adam for everything we have learned together and for allowing me to share “their stories.”

"Meet the Neighbors"

Adam was born in full motion. He never needed time to get his motor running. He was never malicious or mean spirited but as a young boy he often got into “predicaments” because he was always busy and active. We knew early on that some day he would be involved with law enforcement - we just didn’t know how he might be involved. Fortunately when he graduated from college he went to work “on their side” as a police officer.

A couple of weeks after we moved into our current home, Adam celebrated his 5th birthday. He came home from his party and proudly emptied his bag of presents. As the toys fell out of the bag one caught my attention – a SLINGSHOT.

We immediately had a very clear discussion and laid down the rules. He was not allowed to use the slingshot without me present. “Do you understand?” “I understand.”

Within seconds of our discussion, and while I was assembling a toy, there was a very loud knocking at the front door. When I opened the door, there was a large, angry man with one hand around my son’s neck and his other hand rubbing his own neck. My eyes focused immediately on the SLINGSHOT which was hanging from Adam’s left hand.

[My son, only moments after receiving my clear instructions about the SLINGSHOT, had gone outside with his SLINGSHOT, picked up a rock in the yard and shot my neighbor in the neck. Adam has always been very athletic and lo, these 25 years later, I must acknowledge that he made quite a shot through a moving car’s passenger window before hitting the driver in the neck. ]

Although I had never met my neighbor before this occasion, it did not seem like an appropriate time to introduce myself and young son. He seemed very angry. Moreover, he wanted to take it out on ME. Even back then, I had a keen interest in conflict resolution (particularly when it involved saving my own skin) and I knew that this would require all of my professional skills. (Please do not attempt this at home.)

There were a number of things I had to do. I had to get his left hand away from my son’s neck without having him then place both of his hands around MY neck. Fortunately, my neighbor was a man of reason and I was able to appease him by convincing him that this situation would be handled and assuring him that my son would never again shoot him or any other neighbors.

Adam, even at 5, knew the instructions. But the allure and desire of the forbidden was too great.

James 1:22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (NASB)

As with each of our children, Adam survived this incident (and a number of others) and I am pleased to report that just this week he completed his first year of law school. I am even more proud of the husband and father he is proving to be.

Bob