12.

 A dozen.

2020 seemed so far away in 2008.

Sidney is now in high school and Rebekah is an amazing seventh grader. They are amazing kids, lovers of Jesus, and students. Sid is an Olympian. Rebekah is a lover of all things music and performance.  Both get excellent grades. Both wish that they knew their mom better.

I wish that they did too.

But ... that was not in God's plan.

Valerie and I celebrated 9 years of marriage this year. She is a remarkable woman. She puts up with me and raises Sidney and Rebekah as if they were her own.

Because of the loss of Hyatt, it is sometimes hard to say that I am a very lucky/blessed man. But, I have to believe that she is smiling down on our family (sometimes laughing at us and specifically me)... at where life has brought us... and that she is happy for us.

I guess that all is where it is supposed to be.

Hug and kiss your loved ones today. It might be the last time....