December 13, 2002
Dear Patrick (Obediah),
We miss you terribly and especially at this holy time of year, the Christmas season. Our family has grown so much in the last six years and there are many more waiting to love you and have you involved in their lives.
I will catch you up on the family news. Sharon and Wes had a baby boy on April 30. His name is Timothy Andrew and he is beautiful. He was christened about a month later and you are named as his godfather. That makes two that you are named as godfather. Tim and Ranee's baby, Conor Patrick and now Baby Tim. What a sweet and happy baby he is. He has the disposition of Wes and Sharon, very laid back. He is now 7 months old. You have just got to see him; he's wonderful as are all of our babies. Beth and Mickey's baby girl was born October 29 and weighed 9 lb. 6 oz. She is healthy and beautiful. They have their hands full now with three children. Guess what, Sharon and Wes are pregnant. Baby Timmy will only be a little over a year when the new baby is born about the middle to end of May. Could be on or around your birthday. Just imagine we will have 7 babies around here and all under 4 years old. It sure is a jumping place when they are all here and so much joy and happiness. We are so blessed with these wonderful little people. Dad makes a wonderful grampa; he gets so much joy in seeing them and playing with them. I'm nana and love every minute of it. We baby-sit quite often and need more babysitters, so come home and we'll put you to work.
Mrs. Rice is not doing well. She went into the hospital a few months ago and had open heart and at her age that is too much of an operation for her to get through easily. Pray for her and hopefully she will be OK soon to be able to come home. She asks for you often and tells me she can still see the little boy standing in her doorway with a hockey suit on.
Well, I dream of the day when I will be able to talk to you face to face and hug you and tell you how much we all love you. I recently heard a song and part of it was, "His nail scared hands wipe away our tears." May Christ be with you my precious son and open your heart to the truth.
We love you,
Mom, Dad and Kids (+7 babies)