"Hey, Beck, what time is it?"
"Like 5:45 in the morning, why?"
"Just wondering." I snuggled farther under the covers thankful for this sweet family and the bond we share. (And I also love our audacity to stay up until 1:30 AM because we can.)
I haven't seen the Hogan Family in many, many years. As I walked in the door with our bags, I was amazed, and contented. We children weren't really children anymore. Time had changed us. We grew up, but with our growing up, came a stronger love for one another. There's an expression for that. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." And it doesn't get any truer than that.
After the seven hour car ride in pouring rain, we gathered and just were. We were absolutely free to be. I don't know about you, but experiences like that don't just fade with time. If anything, I know one thing. And that is that the God who made us in His image, said to us: "Here's a family. Just like yours. They pray for you everyday. They know what it is like to say goodbyes, to need to let go. But look at their hearts! They are very deep. They will be with you through thick and thin, and although you will be miles apart -- you will relate to each other like you were side by side. Here's a family. Just like yours. Enjoy them, they are my gift to you."
Dear Hogan Family,
I don't know about you all, but I am so thankful for a God who hears us and loves enough to give us a family to know like you.
