October 29 – “Yes and No”

Chris and I were among quite a few of our neighbors who showed up at city hall to witness Alice Whiteman’s three sons receive a proclamation from the city honoring their mother.  Yes.  When our Gulf Village neighborhood sign is erected, it will be dedicated in her honor since she was instrumental in getting it approved and actually carried out.  Yes.  The mayor pro-tem who also happens to be our council representative made the presentation and I was especially impressed by Terilynn’s statement that Alice really helped her “learn the ropes” when she was a brand new rookie council woman.  It’s not often a politician – especially one in Galveston - speaks with that degree of humility.  Yes.  Thank you to all the neighbors who came out for the event.  I know the room was stuffed with people, so I for one appreciate the sacrifice for a neighbor and friend I really loved.  Yes.

The other highlight of our day (other than toiling at the computer trying to get a teaching ready for Sunday) came when we picked Cailyn up from school and she was joined by her cousins from LaMarque for an afternoon of revelry and craziness.  Christina brought her brood down here so Chris could get a measurement from Noa.  Chirs is making Noa a miniature version of the Elsa dress she made for Cailyn, and she was at the point where she needed to know how long to make it.  Once she gets the hem done all that’s left is sticking on the snowflakes and glitter.  It’s coming down to the wire. Two days until its debut.  Noa was in great form, too.  I don’t mean posing for the dress form, though.  She has learned a new word and is using it in every possible situation so she can get used to its melodious sound coming off of her lips.  After hearing her use it, I’m certain it will serve her well for many, many … many years to come.  Oh, you want to know what the word is?  That all-time favorite, that all-purpose, that one size fits all expression that all of us make use of on a daily basis … No.  She uses it to mean yes.  She uses it to mean hello.  She uses it to mean “you can’t catch me.”  Oh, and she uses it to mean no.  Often.  Have loads of fun with that one, Mommy and Daddy.  It won’t go away any time soon.

Matthew 5:36-37 says, “And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.  Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

Father, thank you once again for the “yes” influence Alice had on our community.  And please endow Kel and Christina with wisdom as they deal with Noa through her “no” years.  Amen.