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Ranchers.net

It’s not too often that Monday actually comes as day of rest (unless one is a preacher!) but after a weekend of endless activity today actually seemed relatively relaxing!

We have occasionally been “substitutionary extended family” to the two siblings of one of our daughter's former little “patients” in her line of work as a home-care nurse. (I call her Supernurse. Cuz that's what she is. IMHO, anyone who can work with the kind of disabilities some of these kids have deserves a medal.)

So this past weekend the parents of these 2 little guys (6yrs. and 20 months) were left scrambling when the babysitter they had lined up bailed on them at the last minute. Not wanting to cancel their much-anticipated weekend away together, Supernurse got the call - “Could you…?”

No matter that she was working every night for about 6 in a row, she said they could come here, as I found out a few days ago… Sure enough, they arrived at about 4PM, Friday afternoon.

Gregory, the brilliant 6 yr. old, just loves coming here to the farm and he is a delight to have around. Vincent, the “baby” tends to vacillate between Jekyll and Hyde and from a cast iron lung wails out his not-infrequent displeasure with life. By 6 o’clock Friday evening I thought that depositing him on the side of the road might be an acceptable option…

Thank goodness that little kids really like our oldest son - No. 1 Wiretwister, and vice versa, but even he was a bit frazzled by this morning when he left for work at 5:30. Every day was jammed with little kids and activity.

Wifey excels with them, although yesterday took her to a family reunion after church. Well, that left just No. 1 Wiretwister and I to look after them while Supernurse finally crashed for a few hours of sleep in the afternoon.

After a short nap, No. 1 Wiretwister took Gregory for a 4-wheeler ride and left Vincent in my care.

Alone!

We had by now worked out a semi-amicable truce and were hunkered down at the kitchen table having a relatively peaceful exchange while stuffing our faces and sipping on our respective bottles, following the ages-old remedy for settling differences and solidifying friendships.

As the various possibilities of this image struck me, I texted No. 1 Wiretwister - to assure him that all was well - with these words – “We are sitting at the table eating pretzels, drinking beer and communicating in grunts like real men do…”. After I hit send, all the wearying tension of the weekend found release in a real belly busting outburst of laughter, Vincent heartily joining with his merry little peals!

What a moment. There was a special bonding happened right there and we are now best buds for life. Oops, I suddenly smelled something rather strong . . . . . . I think we’re getting close enough here to be family after that little task was complete?

Well, the little guys were returned to their parents later today and I’m gonna miss the little rascals. Here, have another one, Vinnie…
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