July 28, 2022

 On some nights, after human dinner is complete and ice cream is shared, the Army drifts off to find places to take pre-bedtime-walks digestive naps or to suervise Dad as he finishes up work tasks. One or another often finds her way to keep me company and I love those moments.

On rarer occasions Roman will lean against my leg asking to have his ears rubbed. He licks my hand and presses his face to my palm. He looks up expectantly until I tell him how nice it is to spend private time together; then he settles on top of my foot. That is my signal to begin the bedtime "Thank you for being you" wishes which are customized to fit each member of the family. 

In those gentle bonding moments I can see and feel the beautiful soul that has experienced so much hardship yet has persevered. "You are my special blessing," I tell him.