Patty, Jane and I used to do everything together - from playing in the mud puddles to robbing the cookie jar. I've been thinking of Patty and Jane most of the day and then Connie sends me this email - needless to say - I lost it. Sat and cried for a little while, because Patty and I used to talk about the very things that were in this email. So I am going to share this email and see what you all think -
God Lives Under The Bed -
I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed . . .'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6 foot 2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his
monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our
cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he
stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays!
That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's going' to Chi-car-go!' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue. Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God. Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never
learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed. Kevin won't be surprised at all!
Have a great day and know that we all appreciate you and love you! Happy Birthday!
Well, Kurt today you and Jean are celebrating your 17th wedding anniversary, can you believe it?
Well, Frank and Mary Ann are celebrating their 49th Anniversary today - I can remember when they got married. I was at school in Wisconsin and Frank drove from Eagle to pick me up and then we drove to West Point. A heck of a long way for Frank to drive but I was in the wedding. I can still remember the dress I wore, it was gunmetal blue and absolutely the most gorgeous dress I had ever seen. I loved the cut and the color of the dress, they were so cool. Mary Ann comes from a large family as well and the wedding taking place in Grandma and Grandpa's home town the wedding was huge!
A split leaf philodendron -
A Bromiliad outside our complex -
A yellow something - not sure what it is, but it looks pretty!
And of course the ever present bougainvillea - Grandma loved flowers and always had plenty around the house and yard. And that love spilled over on Mary Ann, Dorene, Bernadette and the rest of the family. I love this time of year down here - but I do miss seeing everyone!
Becky here with Jerry discussing something really important - maybe. 
Landon with Grandma, JoEllen again completely wore out from playing with all his cousins! He does everything at warp speed, so when he crashes, he crashes!
Mark showing off his beard for the town's bicentennial - I'm really glad is over and I bet Doris is too. Mark just needs a flat black hat and he would make a great Amish man - oops.
Mark sitting on the beach in Florida with his favorite drink - right, who am I kidding!
Mark, Nadia and Ivan on the golf course having a great day - they are so cute!
Mark, Doris and grandchildren, wow what a great looking bunch of kids - you too Doris! Oh, alright you look good Mark -
You are now looking at the two youngest members of the family - and as Mark would say, "wow, look at these two good looking people!" I can remember when we were young, Mark would get ready to go out and he would look in the mirror and act like he was going to comb his hair, stop and remark, "can't improve on perfection". 
Mark the 'pool man' and Doris telling him how to do it right. The perfect couple.
Mark and Doris enjoying a day with Minni Mouse and the rest of the Disney crew. It helps having a daughter who lives in the back yard of Disney World!
Wow, look how grown up Josey is already - I feel like we have missed so much with Don and Heather living so far away. What a precious and beautiful young lady, hope we get the privilege of getting to know you soon. Have a great day pretty lady!
Monica with Connie, what a great picture! 
Jim, I hope you have a GREAT birthday - lets see - how old are you now? Just kidding, have a great day!
Great picture of Ann and Marcy -
Kevin and Marcy having a bite to eat with some of the cousins, it was fun having Kevin & Marcy come up. Kevin is looking good, and I'm sure it's because of Marcy. Thanks Marcy for being there for Kevin! Have a great and wonderful birthday!
