Day 419 - August 9 - F is for Flying

Saturday we spent outside, about 45 minutes from home at the Salinas Airshow. As you may recall, in addition to being an Air Traffic Controller I'm also a pilot, and airplanes are a passion to me. Connor loves hot jets as well, and since the Navy's Blue Angels were performing, we rounded up a couple of friends, loaded up with sunscreen and took off.

There were a number of concerns - sunburns, of course, but also being able to manage Connor's temperature in addition to all the logistics of an extended trip away from home. We did alright, although we were unable to get a table with an umbrella, and had to sit down in the front in the sun. Because of our temperature concerns, that meant that someone was holding an umbrella over Connor all day - not too much of a sacrifice, since it helped him enjoy a "normal" activity for once, but I was astonished at the number of people who had snagged shaded tables in the back, but then when the Blue Angels started flying, felt it appropriate to move down and stand in front of all those who had to take the front seats in the sun all day. Apparently, it was more important for them to enjoy both the shade and the view, moving up to stand at the fence line so they could see everything, than for Connor and the rest of us relegated to basting in the sunshine to be able to see things happening at low altitude. Sometimes the inconsideration and selfishness in people amazes me, even though I am often embarrassed by my own...

But that's really neither here nor there. We had a great time in spite of it all, and are thankful that we managed to get out and enjoy an activity together as a Family (another thing to be thankful for on F-day). Here's another - Friends - who tagged along, helped with Connor when we needed it, and gave the boy somebody to hang with besides his parents. Thanks, Josh and Sarah!

I'm also really thankful for faithfulness. Do you realize how often we take faithful behavior for granted? We take faithfulness as a given in our spouses, our kids, our bosses, our friends, and our God - all the time. But it's just about the rarest commodity out there. Most people and all things will betray you somehow during the course of this existence, so cherish the people who try not to fail you, and bless the God who never will. Amen? Amen.

One downside of the day was that by the time we got home in the early evening, Connor was exhausted. We'd all managed to get a bit sunburned despite our best efforts, and so he went to bed early for a nap. Although he did wake back up and have some dinner, the nap meant he was up most of the night, restless and unable to sleep. He finally got into a deeper sleep at about 0500 this morning, so we're letting him sleep a bit this morning instead of the planned early launch for church.

Please continue to pray for Connor's restoration - we struggle each day with the strength to ward off despair as we wait for God to move, and it's worst for Connor. So your continued support for the boy is greatly coveted, and greatly appreciated.

Eric

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