Some of you know my oldest son Nicholas is away from home. I am committed to finishing Beauty and the Beast (pt4) The Beasts Other Work at the end of this week. I have been jam packed with stuff and really have been writing pt4 and pt5. They are done in my head....not just done here...where it counts.
After church on Sunday we spent a very special Easter dinner with Nicholas. Justin, Andrew and myself drove to our favorite Chinese restaurant and purchased Nick's favorite meal. General Tsao's Chicken. He loves it HOT! We then drove to visit Nick at the youth hospital that he is living. Every time I see him he grows another inch. We packed him an Easter basket of chocolate, beef jerky, pringles chips, and Gatorade. Nick really hates the food where he is and that really is one of the problems. He will turn the place upside down because he hates the food, but...I cannot let him have his way and run and bring him food every time he is hungry. Easter is special, so we packed him his favorites. I bring him a special meal once a week when I visit him. Sometimes I am required to be at the facility several times a week and I always bring something. But, I have learned a long time ago not to jump when Nick asks for something. He is quite the manipulator. I can't wait to actually write the Pt 4 blog and share....it is kind of funny how he gets over even the “declared professionals”.
We get to where Nick is staying and it is really a nice drive. Andrew and Justin are excited about visiting Nick and they have thought nothing of trading off the traditional family Easter egg hunt at my in-laws. Hey...Nick is their oldest brother and despite any abuses or dysfunctions he is still their brother and they adore an love him as such. I would expect nothing less from any child that was raised in my home. Love and Compassion are among the tools we use the most from our God given tool box.
Well, of course we carried with us my new camera that will make probably change my blog here for awhile. If you have not noticed...I am visually oriented. I need to arrange my page here though...so I can make pictures fit better.
Alas....
There are all three boys. Together for the second time in 71 days. I had bought Nick some new clothes for Easter and like the bone head I am...I forgot them at home. He took it really well. Justin was modeling for him the same
sweat suit that I had gotten Nick. 
Here you can see our Easter meal. Justin is taking the picture and I think I just realized that they forgot our Chicken Lo Mien. Great Chinese restaurant, but they always mess something up.
Like Father Like Son. Yes, we just ate a really good meal. Nick finally got his hair cut short and he looked very handsome. It was a great Easter from beginning to end. This afternoon I realized that perhaps many of my future holidays will be spent this way. I have already have had some voice that they thought it was sad. What would be sad is if we did not plan to be with Nick.
Do you know what my reward was for this day? When I was walking Nick back to his cottage I asked him what was so special about Easter? And he told me that Christ rose from the dead. There are a lot of things going on in my son's life. Nick has multiple diagnosis and a life experience I would not wish upon my worst enemy. But my son knows Christ. My Boy knows Christ. I looked at Nick as he walked through the cottage carrying his Easter basket. I think he grew another inch.
