Reflection

How blessed we all have been to know Brandon and Gara. We are now blessed with the opportunity to participate in the new wonderful blessing allowed them. They have been blessed with Travis through the love they have and exhibit for each other. We now have an opportunity to experience and are a part of this beautiful new life. I am so thankful that Brandon and Gara have allowed us to take place in the many milestones in their lives. We all have taken part in the many events in their lives and now with the addition of Travis from the announcement that Travis was on the way early last year.


Travis is well on his way to being the most memorialized child in history beginning with the very first ultrasound pictures. One snapshot at a time, each is a representative of a brief moment of time. However, each carries with it much more. With each picture we will all have an opportunity in the future to go back and relive the sounds, smells, and touch we each associate with that picture. It will be different for each of us and carry a special meaning for each. It is amazing how old pictures can trigger all of the senses and take you back to that time of life,

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Brandon and Gara enjoy and embrace this time of your life. Do not get bogged down in the minutiae of the day to day. Love and embrace Travis daily and do not worry about the many insignificant problems that will come each day. Be thankful Travis has strong lungs when he lets you know he is in need of something, unhappy, or perhaps just having a bad day, be thankful he has a sharp mind as he lets you know he does not want to take a nap because he does not want to miss anything or be away from you for even a minute. Do not struggle with the day to day parenting and the questions you are unable to find an answer in the parenting book. Be thankful as believers in Jesus Christ you have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell you. He will lead and guild you and provide directive in dealing with each and every problem that arises in your new parenting role. Luke 11:11-13 11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" I ask this of you not of one in judgment but one that struggles daily with problems of the day and often unable to enjoy the current for worry of the future.

As I think back to Mother’s Day and the dedication of Travis to the Lord. I think of the phrase from the poem by William Ross Wallace. "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Is The Hand That Rules The World”. The poem praises motherhood and the power mothers have in the direction of the world via the influence of the children they raise. I cannot think of a more appropriate time of dedication than on Mother’s Day. Dedication is a promise to God to provide a Spiritual home for Travis to grow and know Jesus at an early age. This should be the premier responsibility in parenthood. The earlier a child knows Jesus as Savior the more influence he will have in changing the world.

I love you all very much and I am so grateful that you include me in your lives.

Uncle Mickey