First of all, thank you for your prayers while I was in Budapest. What a week! I’ll just say God is good. His right hand held me up, and His eyes roamed to and fro keeping an eye on my suitcase, wherever it was. I’m home, the bag arrived three days later, and I love my family. Hugs are the greatest welcomes ever.

I’m in the throes of conference preparation, and working feverishly on my one sheets for the novel and article series. That said, I will post something real next week. Today, I’ll share a precious moment with my Giant.

We sat at the table after school and lunch, enjoying the quiet. I love those after dinner moments when one of my kids hangs around to chat. They lead to some of the best conversations.

Today, BWIMH dropped the mail on the middle of the table and headed out to coach baseball. A brochure advertising cool summer birthday parties at a local ski resort drew Giant’s attention, and he picked it up.

“Um, Mom?” Brows furrowed, lips a crooked line, he lifted his eyes. “How could this be anything but awkward?”

“What?” I asked, leaning over for a peek at the pamphlet.

“I mean, eunuchs ought to be able to have birthday parties like everybody else, but . . . why would anyone want to advertise it like that? It seems like making a big deal out of it would just make everyone uncomfortable. I’d still go, but . . . would it be all right to say something like, ‘Dude, I didn’t know you were a eunuch’?”

I swallowed my amusement, thankful that he’d do his best to make his friend feel appreciated no matter what. And then I explained, “It says ‘unique birthday parties.'”

His shoulders relaxed and a smile stretched across his face. “Oh. Yeah. Unique parties would probably be more fun.”