Kyle (my son) works security for a popular nightclub downtown, so he tends to get home really late (or really early). Yesterday, he told us some disturbing news that had a good ending…for us.

After work, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, he enjoyed some pizza that was provided by his employer and headed to his car. In order to enjoy free parking, he has to walk a few blocks. By the time he made it to the car, started it, and pulled away, it was about 2:55 am. In that same spot, about twenty minutes later, a man was stabbed and killed. When he came out of the room and told us that, it was a real eye-opener.

Do we really value life like we say we do? Do we really appreciate others like we say we do? It’s funny (but not): the night before, I had a dream, where Kyle had died. In the past, it would’ve affected me as a “sign” or a “warning” but not anymore. Now, dreams may have an interpretation from heaven, and death doesn’t always mean something bad, so I told everyone about my dream, and Kyle was like, “G-r-e-a-t,” but then I explained the goodness of it. We were glad he was alive and with us and for good reason!

After dinner, we stopped by “Food4Less” to pick up some creamer. When Scott’s in town, it’s like the kids have an unspoken permission to be kids. They all run through the store, play tag in place, etc., and as we were turning down one aisle, Kyle grabbed a flyswatter and whispered, “This will be good.” I wasn’t sure what he was going to do, and my mind didn’t register a pay-attention thought. All of a sudden, I heard a WHACK, followed by laughter.

I turned around, and Carolyn was bent over laughing, while holding her cheek. Kyle was laughing. Nathan was laughing. It was hilarious! Kyle surprised Carolyn with a flyswatter-in-the-face move. She was laughing, crying…so funny!

We continued on very slowly because Carolyn was incapable of walking fast because she was still bent over, laughing, crying, attempting to speak. It was so much fun! I told Kyle, “THAT’s why God saved your life: so you could hit Carolyn in the face with a flyswatter.” It was so good.

In a way, Scott being in town “does” give them permission to be kids. While he’s here, they don’t have the stress of watching their mom trying to sell enough flags to make it. Scott’s buying everyone bathing suits, took me to Sam’s Club, treats us to eating out. Did I accomplish selling enough flags to pay the rent for next month? No. Will Scott help me? Yes, so the kids don’t have to worry and can run around all they want.

I can’t wait for Disneyland: standing in line, watching them goof around with each other, seeing them smile, hearing them laugh…as I’m typing this out, I’m beginning to cry because time with them mean so much. It’s going to be a blast!

Oh, I have to share this: the other day, we had seen “Inside Out”…excellent movie! In remembering that movie, while Carolyn was laughing and crying at the same time in “Food4Less,” she said she had joy, sadness, and anger going on in her head. In order to understand, you’ll have to see that movie. It was good!