God Bless You, Andy

Today my "little" cousin, Andrew left for boot camp. He's a great kid even though he's what I would call "wet behind the ears." He just graduated high school last year and, while he has been saying for the past few years that he intends to join the military, we weren't fully sure until this past fall when he met with the recruiter. After all, we're in the midst of a war of uncertainty. But it appeals to the boy, so I'm sure he'll do well.

Several years ago I used to substitute teach at Andy's school. He was a freshman, so I must have been, um...20? (Wow I feel old sometimes!) Anyway, Andy came in and sat down for his English class, but didn't say a word to me. So I played a long and didn't acknowledge him, either. With about five minutes of class left, one of his classmates raised his hand impatiently and blurted out, "Are you related to this kid? Because he's sitting back here telling people you're his cousin." I remember squinting at him in the back row from my desk and saying, "Who are you?" His face flushed and his friends cracked up. I think I almost had him convinced that we weren't related, though we've actually been somewhat close. Eventually, I set the record straight with his friends that yes, we are indeed cousins. To this day when we see each other he always says, "So, who are you? Do I know you?" Last Sunday I told him he'd better get to know me if he didn't already because...and I had to trail off because I realized what I was thinking and I didn't like it. For the first time, I was thinking aloud about the possibility of him going away and not coming home. But I know he's in God's hands and that everything will be okay.

Andrew on the left with his little brother, Aaron, at grandma K.'s, Christmas 2005. Andrew is joining the Marines.


A family full of strapping young lads! Aaron, Andrew, and our cousin Sean, who just became a proud papa and also signed up for the military. He leaves for boot camp in August and will be in the Navy.