thank you

3 years ago, about a dozen of my closest childhood friends and i planned a trip to the hills of west virgina. it was an all guys weekend. half of the group i had known since 3rd grade when i moved from balitmore to columbus, and the other half i had know since freshman year in high school. far away from civilization, we had little do other than play soccer, drink a little beer, and talk. at the time, only one of us had kids...but it was something nearly all of us were aware was in our near future. we were all near, or just past 30. it was time to grow up.

the following year, 2 of the group had their first child and 2 of us miscarried. but then in the second year, nearly all of us had our first (some of which are blog links here). there was a non-verbal commitment we made to each other over late night campfires, that along with the help of our wives back home, we would take care of each other and soon...each other's families.

that commitment was shown a few days ago when we received a card from 7 of our dearest couple friends in columbus. they sent us a check to buy jasper's first pair of glasses and help with the medical bills. to say the least, we were floored and at a lost for words at the gesture. the tears came quickly to mara. it's taken me a few days to write this, i just felt overwhelmed and very blessed. thank you from the deepest of mara's + i's heart and thank you to the other friends who have sent jasper stuffed monkeys, toys, + their prayers. i hope i have personally thanked you as well. the pic is the card's front cover.