Jacob came home from his day program and before he got to his bedroom, pulled his shoes off and gave them a toss.  I was positive both were in our den.  Later I went to put them away and could only find one.

He has several pairs of shoes.  But this pair is a favorite.  Probably ours more than his because of the ease of slipping them on.  I did a quick search to no avail.  Decided he’d have to wear a different pair the next day and I’d focus on finding them over the weekend.

Which I did.  Major search.  Not find the missing shoe.  Anywhere he had access to, I searched high and low!  No kidding.  I had a flashlight looking under beds and couches.  On closet shelves and behind furniture.  In drawers!  Cabinets.

We were trying to remember where I bought the shoes.  His dad was searching Amazon to see if a replacement was available.  See what I’m talking about?!  We really hated to lose those shoes.  Could one have possibly been thrown away?  We went to Walmart to check the shoe department.  NO luck. 

I had resigned myself to the fact that the missing shoe was long gone.

I don’t recall how many days (or weeks) had passed, but early one evening, Mike and I were watching TV in our bedroom, and I had my phone on Jacob’s room monitor.  

When what to my wandering eye should appear?
It looked like a shoe just laying on the floor.
I  jumped from my chair to be very clear! 
Indeed, that missing shoe was right by his door. 

I don’t know when I’ve been so shocked to see something that had been missing.  I really felt like I covered every possible nook or cranny where he might have hidden it.  How could it just show up?  How I wish I’d been watching to see where he got it before he tossed it toward his closed door. 

You all know Jacob has hidden things before.  Not long after the shoe was discovered and back in use, I feared one was missing again.  I went to pick Jacob up one afternoon and D at the front said, “it’ll be a minute.  Jacob took his shoes off and they are looking for them now.”  Uh-OHHHHHHHH.  I wasn’t surprised to hear he was in his sock feet.  And was perfectly okay with that.  But I was a tad concerned that we’d come home without one shoe because –  he finds joy in hiding things.  Has anybody seen Jacob’s shoes? Happy ending, both shoes were found and so far, both are in circulation!!

Funny how a shoe could make me so happy.  It was really worthy of a celebration!

While growing up, did any of you have thoughts of who you might live with if something happened to both of your parents?  Just me?   It wasn’t in a morbid sense of mind.  It was having a plan!

The family I wanted to live with was my cousin’s.  She’s less than a year younger than me and I loved spending time with her.  I declared that we’d make perfect sisters.  (Nothing against my own who is 4 years younger!  But you understand, that gap is huge when you are 12.)  Her parents, my aunt and uncle, were amazing.  Had similar values as my family.  I guess being at their house, felt similar to being ‘home’.

That plan never became a reality but it is a sweet memory to hold dear.  My precious uncle was taken way too young by pancreatic cancer but my aunt is still an important presence in my life, my family. 

Recently, she dropped off a few things at our front door.  One was this book:

She thought we might enjoy it so was passing it along.  She, nor I, had any idea how much Jacob would love it, though.  It is Jacob’s ‘kind’ of reading material.  Every page is slick.  Pictures galore.  Some full spreads of color. 

Jacob will slowly turn the pages.  Sometimes he will point to a picture and want me to tell him about it.  Sometimes, parts of his meal will get lost in the pages. Some nights when it is time to go to bed, he will hold on to it tight, not ready to give it up. 

It is so obvious how her simple gesture has brought him so much pleasure. 

And, my heart smiles big that the story of Billy Graham, one of the most influential Christian leaders to ever live, has a place in our home. 

I want to be the kind of awesome aunt that she is.  Generous. Thoughtful. Prayerful. A Fighter. Warm. Hopeful. Courageous. Hospitable.  And so much more!

Aunt C, I am so very thankful that I get to call you mine.  Even if you do love to tell the story of me crying so bad in the car when I was little that you wouldn’t have had children if you hadn’t already been pregnant with D. 

We all love you so very, very, very much.