He's nineteen today. He was born in Oregon - nine months and 3000 miles from where my baby girl Shelby would be born.
Time flies to 2005. Our nation is devastated and heartbroken over the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. His world, which is now in Slidell, La, is torn apart.
His family, which includes his mom, sister, and younger brother, head here - a little dot on the map 200 miles from their destroyed home. They have family here - loved ones who will help them find a new home and start over.
It is damage done to the heart of a young man already damaged.
He lost his father to cancer when he was six. A little red-headed boy without a daddy. A loving mama living for two parents.
He lost his father to cancer when he was six. A little red-headed boy without a daddy. A loving mama living for two parents.
A new home. A new church. A new youth group. Falling for a girl named Shelby. My girl. My girl falling for the new guy at church.
The new guy who talks funny, wears his hair way too long, and has a slight chip on his shoulder. The guy who loves motorcycles, scary movies, and swimming; who loves Ireland, knows way too many facts about stupid stuff, and is sarcastic. The guy who loves cajun food and sucks the heads of crawfish, but hates sweets. A history teacher in the making.
Joe. He has become our Joe. He still has a slight chip, but I watch him soften every day as he becomes a man letting the damage to his heart mold him into what he is meant to be.
He's Larry and Annis' little red-headed boy. Now he's Shelby's, too.
For how long? Only time will tell. But we like having him around.
What a small world.
Happy Birthday, Joe.
We love you.
