Concerning the letters, you remind me that I fall into a weird block–with you, your mother, especially with the LORD himself (yes, I get serious writer’s block in worship and prayer), anyone important in my life that I’ve had several occasions to express appreciation for–after I’ve said a certain thing a few times–no matter how much I still feel it, no matter how true it is, no matter even that the depth of it has grown–I worry somehow that my expression is no longer worthy and I falter. And add that to the fact that my words always feel inadequate anyway.

It makes me wonder, that (and maybe, jfc, I’ll blog it). But know that there’s always more than I know how to say–and that any good thing I’ve said undoubtedly still holds true. Maybe it’s a guy thing, like the husband in the joke: “I told you once; if I change my mind, I’ll let you know.”

But I’m getting all sappy. Maybe it’s time we dig into some heresy (by which I mean “embrace” as opposed to the prevailing and errant orthodoxy) or some such thing, kick some theological butts so I can feel manly again.

Sometimes the sneakiest things are those that are ostensibly most obvious. Among other reasons, the nature of a thing is not always apparent no matter how “visible” the thing itself is.

By “on the surface” I did mostly mean “out in the open” but I might also have meant, at least in some degree “above a surface below which we might be looking or dwelling”; i.e., the thing could be lurking in the obvious place but we miss it and it’s sneaky because we’re pre-occupied with the less obvious.

Um, and then there is the whole irony factor. Goofiness would be so goofy as to lurk on the surface. You see, a more fitting thing could not have been said.

So many possibilities (most still unspoken) . . . . short answer: yes

Thank you. Really. It makes a really huge difference to hear truth about the good things that God has been working in my life from someone who has been there for the entire mess of the maturing process, thus far. Especially in the midst of being so bombarded with my shortcomings and weaknesses in such an exceptional way.

Mom was always really good at that. Reminding me who I was and what God had done and was doing and would do. I don’t think I ever realized what a difference her constant encouragement made in my life every day. Especially in the times that we would sit there and argue about it… when I would delve into the Eeyore and Puddleglum dimensions of my brokenness.

I am truly blessed to have grown up with the unrivaled attention and devotion of two such incredible parents. (And, seriously, it wasn’t just Mom.)

Dorean,
Thank you. But I think you have the qualifiers confused (who’s sweet and who’s lucky).

For Godly young women like Christine, Amanda, and Dorean, I suspect it is actually Heavenly Father DNA that is dominent, and when I look for my characteristics, I think there is more compelling evidence that I am somehow related to the cat…