We're back!

Well, we're back from our República Dominicana vacaciones. S2 picked us up last night, D3 was at a friend's party last night, she is the matron/maid (do you just have to be married to become a matron of honour or do you have to have children to be the matron of honour, one of the burning questions the answer to which I really don't care, it was just a passing thought) of honour so it really wouldn't have flown if she wasn't there. I gotta say that LifeWife and I are really so thankful for S2. We are appreciating him more and more all the time. It is really quite a blast to watch as people you know and love grow and expand and develop.

We had an absolutely wonderful time, hot, humid wonderful weather. Rain didn't matter, rained twice, hardly noticed it. Fantastic resort, absolutely beautiful room, immaculate grounds, lovely beach, lovely lady by my side.

A List

• D1
• GS1
• D2
• D3 Trip
• Trip

OK. OK. I know it is a little lame but I had to put that list there because I didn't want to forget about any of those items.

D1
Ah my sweet daughter, as always and as I have learned. She continues to be an inspiration to me. How can a father talk about his daughter who is literally in a battle for her life, without having some of his emotions overcome him. The strength, courage and tenacity shown by her consistently fills me with awe and admiration.

Damocles - ever heard of him?
Cicero tells the story of the Sword of Damocles in his Tusculan Disputations. The story is based on a legend about the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius II and the fawning Damocles, who called Dionysius the most fortunate person ever. Dionysius offered him the opportunity to try out his lucky life, and Damocles readily agreed. Amid all the gold and luxuries that Damocles could enjoy, there was a sharp sword hanging from a slender thread (and in imminent danger of dropping) above Damocles' head. Damocles quickly wished to go back to his less fortunate life.

From this story are two morals: First, "Uneasy rests the head that wears the crown." Second, and perhaps more significantly, "The value of the sword is not that it fall, but rather, that it hangs."

I have difficulty imagining what D1's day-to-day life is like with that sword above her head. Yet from all I've seen and heard, she maintains a positive outlook and attitude. D1 is the kind of friend to her friends, that we all would cherish.

I praise my daughter, I ask God to bless her and give her peace, I ask God to fill her heart and mind with confidence and joy, I ask God to give her the real desires of her heart.

GS1
As I wrote in my last entry, GS1 and I are now great buddies, and he continues to fill me with joy and delight, just watching him and seeing him with his Mom, is a balm to my soul.

D2
What a wonderful Mom she is, it is hard to describe what happens when I watch D2 and GS1. It's like I'm in a dark room and gently and softly a warm light begins to shine filling the room and me with illumination... (I've told you before of my regard and affection for S1) He is an integral part of the team, and his contribution illuminates GS1. Quick short story - S1 brought home a bike that his Dad gave him, I was there and he took it out for a ride, I was carrying GS1, well the first approach from a distance was watched gleefully by GS1, however when S1 began to ride away to do another pass, GS1 burst into tears and stretched his arm out to his dad, and wasn't consoled until dad came back and held him.

D3 Trip
I have maintained for a long time that I have no interest whatsoever in going on a cruise. LifeWife has mentioned a number of times how she thinks she would really enjoy it, has friends who have gone and loved it, I remained unmoved. THEN, D3 and S2 came up with this this trip (on a cruise ship) first you fly to Spain, then you board ship go to Greece Turkey Egypt, taking two weeks to do it. OK I'm sold now that would be a trip. So the upshot is this. November 2011 - LifeWife and I and D3 and S2 are going! We have already put a deposit down.

Trip
2 days from now on Saturday the 11th LifeWife and I fly to the Republica Dominicana. We bought snorkel gear, and we are going to learn to use it. We are ready for this vacation. Really ready...