little Artie and big Artie

Last week Elijah and I (Peter) went to Chicago to visit my dad and family. I'm not sure quite why, but Elijah Arthur and my dad, Ralph Arthur, have a special bond. They have not spent a lot of time together but Elijah just loves my dad. While visiting, Elijah would sit on the couch next to my dad and say, "Grampa, I love you." And my dad, who wasn't saying much at all, would more clearly than anything else say, "I love you Elijah." Dad would mumble hellos and needs and things about how he was feeling but his "I love you Elijah" was the strongest thing he said all week. This is a shot of Elijah holding dad's hand. I was sitting on the other side of the bed just holding my dad's hand and Elijah moved the stool next to dad, wrapped his little hand around grampa's finger and put his head down on the bed. I cried. Nobody told him to say "I love you" or to hold grampa's hand... he just knew that was what you did when you felt that strongly about someone. I learn so much about love from little Artie... and big Artie too. Maybe that's where the bond comes from.

While I am amazed at all the things my dad taught me by the way he lived, I'm blown away at how much he has taught me by the way he's dying. I have never seen so much strength, faith, hope, patience, perseverence, gratitude or love. In our brief chats he talks about Jesus, the things he's most thankful for, how much he loves us, how proud he is of who each of his kids have become and how much his Bible has meant to him. On one occasion I asked him what makes him so strong and gives him such hope; without a pause he began reciting the 23rd Psalm. He couldn't remember what day it was, what was going on around him or even what we were talking about sometimes but he didn't miss a single word in the entire chapter. That's the kind of man I want to be. That's the kind of man I want my boys to be. I hope and pray that someday I can be that type of legacy for my kids.

Finally, I must say that the thing I am most excited about as I have watched God move and work in and around my family is the work He has done in and through my brother. I have seen more love and godliness in him over the past few months than I believe anyone has seen in me in years. I can't begin to describe how inspired I am by him. He has become one of my heroes. And I'd be honered if either of my boys grew up to have his heart. Elijah has already begun to examine and immitate his every move.

I've come to think that family is one of God's top three blessings... right behind Jesus and the Bible.

On a lighter note... while in Chicago, my mom told Elijah "Elijah, you're a blessing." Elijah asked Gramma, "Gwaama, what's a bwessing?"
Gramma said that it was something that fills your heart with joy and happiness.
Elijah said, "Gwaama, YOU are a bwessing!"
He is so right. She is so right. What a blessing to be part of a family that truly understands the love that God has passed on to us to share with one another.