The most selfless act of kindness

I will forever remember this moment of pure joy and happiness for my daughter and for myself I will remember this selfless act of kindness for the rest of my life, and I can only hope that I will be able to pay this one forward.

Every year the Knights of Columbus at our Parish host a Father-Daughter Dinner/Dance.  Of course the first weekend they made the announcement after mass my heart sank, was Rory going to hear this, was she going to want to go, how do I explain again that Daddy can't be here for it and that there is always next year.  At this point in the deployment we have both grown weary of the explanations of why Daddy can't be there always followed by sobbing tears. In the end, we got through that Sunday without Rory hearing about it, and I was safe for the following Sunday because we went to mass at another Church.

The next Sunday, there was that moment again, and I knew she heard the announcement that time. I saw her ears perk up and smile come across her face, my heart was now in my shoes.  Then came the most incredible moment.  Our neighbor Ryan scooted his way next to me right after the announcement from the altar and whispered to me "Would it be OK with you if I took Rory to the Father-Daughter Dance with Audrey and I?"  Well, the flood gates opened and I couldn't stop crying.  To me, this was the most selfless act of kindness that I had ever experienced.  Ryan offered to give up his special time with his daughter Audrey to take Rory along with them.  I was beyond speechless. 

Rory took her Daddy along with her

Ryan, his daughter Audrey and Rory

Rory and Ryan and Daddy

Being a military family isn't easy, and being a military child is even more difficult.  As an adult I can express my emotions and I understand my feelings of loneliness, isolation, stress and worry.  I can ask for help.  Kids, especially the ages that our kids are, have no idea what to do with their emotions and even though in Rory's lifetime of all almost 6 years, her daddy has been away for about 2 years and that's no including nights in the field and weeks in Washington DC.  She has been so great and understanding of why Daddy can't physically can't be there at some things, but she is very proud of her Daddy and she is a Daddy's girl.  So when it came to the Father-Daughter Dance I think only another military Dad could understand how a little girl feels, and Bryan and I will forever be grateful to Ryan and his family who have made this deployment a little bit easier.

Spring Break

It seems sooooooo long ago, well it was over a month ago, but it's worth recapping the week, at least I think so!

We started off by going to see the Imagination Movers in Concert in Kansas City!  They are a kids group that have a show of the Disney Channel and my kids are addicted to them.  They have songs that the whole family can listen too, and Bryan and I don't get annoyed with hearing them over and over.  So off we went, and yes I took all 3 kids by myself, and yes I am crazy, but I knew that they would all Love it, and they did not disappoint!

Rory and Brendan posing by the concert sign...Jack didn't want to be photographed!

3 of the 4 Movers, Scott, Rich and Smitty

The other big event of Spring Break was celebrating St. Patrick's Day, which is a HUGE day in our house.  This year we had some very special visitors....My best friend for over 15 years Becky and her youngest daughter Juliette!!!  Here they all are patiently waiting for the parade to start...don't they look sweet and innocent!

 

A trip to Leavenworth must include the Carousel Museum...Juliette wasn't too sure about that

Rory was right at home

Juliette, Jack and Brendan were a little happier in the "Twisty Seat"

Of course the favorite thing was the quarter tornado...

The week went by all too quickly, but it was so great to have such wonderful visitors and the kids had such a great time!!