To categorize the past seven days as “normal” would be the farthest thing from the truth in describing the events of the week.

We had to say goodbye to a faithful friend. This was no ordinary friend. We traveled many miles together and this friend served us well.

We had to part ways with our 1999 Toyota Sienna van, a mere 337,000 miles young.

It is now on its way to Africa to serve someone there.

God was faithful in blessing us with such a quality car over the past twelve years.

“Ole Faithful” was replaced with a 2004 van, same make and model, in incredibly great shape, and a youngster with 93,000 well maintained miles and at the right price.

Again, an answer to our prayers.

The light of day cracked the horizon on Monday and I was on my way to work allowing enough time for my new long distance commute.

I called my Mom to wish her a Happy 80^th Birthday and congratulations on her becoming a card carrying member of the octogenarian club.

Turning eighty is not an everyday event and I wanted her to know of my love for her.

We will see her after Thanksgiving as all of her children will gather with her to take her to dinner and spend some time with her.

I arrived at work on time and jumped right into what I needed to do for the day.

Within an hour or so of my day getting started, it came to an abrupt and certain stop.

I was informed with surgical precision that my services were no longer needed.

The position I held was terminated and my employment ceased.

Stunned would be the operative word. I was too numb to feel anything.

The only thing I truly felt was God’s peace over me.

Jackie and I had plans, after what would have been my normal work day, to meet at a central location to attend the viewing of the five year old daughter of a longtime family friend.

It was a heart-wrenching moment to see a young child lying peacefully at rest after many physical battles.

She is safe in the arms of Jesus now.

My emotions, silently kept inside, were all over the map.

For several reasons which I will not get into here, I delayed telling Jackie of my news of the day until the next morning.

Her understanding, compassion, and support were the prescriptions I needed for the moment.

We cried a little, prayed, and entrusted our future to His care.

He has a plan.

We will enter into it.

Theme park season in the northeast has long been over.

However, my emotions have paralleled that of a roller coaster, up one hill and down another, flowing at breakneck speed into the curves with their unexpected twists and turns.

The days which ensued allowed time for me to file for unemployment benefits, make some associated decisions, and to begin in earnest my new full time job, i.e., searching for a full time position.

Even in the midst of the unemployment storm and the moments which followed, heaven whispered to me in the calls and emails offered by friends and family, through the lyrics of timely songs, and the echoes of silence in which I could gather my thoughts.

As much as it seemed the week was on a downward trend, it ended on a dramatic high note.

We were summoned to once again play the role of family support services and to put on our expectant “Gammy” and “Papa” capes as our middle daughter, Bethany, began labor on Thursday evening with her second child.

We arrived at her home late Thursday evening, becoming the “go-to”, on call caretakers of two year old Naomi once the party started and the ticket to Baby Land was punched.

If heaven whispered to me throughout the course of this aberration of a week, it also supplied me with a definitive sense of wellbeing and love.

Heaven’s Kiss was imbedded in my heart with the arrival of our latest grandchild.

We now have an even four-pack of little ones to spoil!

We welcomed Abigail Faith into our family at 8:06 pm on Friday, November 14, 2014.

Earlier today I held Abigail in my arms for the first time.

She was peaceful, quiet, and content resting in my embrace.

Those closest to me know I get reflective during moments like this.

After all, these types of miracles are not everyday events but moments to be treasured.

My eyes welled up with tears as I held her.

It was as if she was saying, “It is going to be OK, Papa. I am Heaven’s Kiss for you today.”

It was simply a great way to have come to a conclusion this otherwise chaotic week in which I have had a hard time coming to grips with my up and down emotions.

Rest well little one.

Welcome to our family!

 In what ways have you experienced Heaven’s Kiss?