The Lighthouse

I am in awe of lighthouses. I love their simple but powerful beauty, especially among the rocky shores and the sometimes rough and dangerous waters of the sea. I think of their beacons of light, circling around and around, illuminating an otherwise dark and intimidating night and feel immediate comfort. When I picture a lighthouse in my mind's eye, I simultaneously experience a feeling of joyful relief as I imagine a weary ship captain's first glimpse of a lighthouse close to his home, knowing that if he just follows the light, it will guide him through the rest of his journey.

Imagine the fear and the confusion and the anxiety that captain must feel when the light within the lighthouse is allowed to burn out. The internal workings of the lighthouse might still function, moving around and around, going through the motions of being a lighthouse, but missing its most critical gift. The lighthouse keeper may even painstakingly put a new coat of bright white paint on the outside of the lighthouse and genuinely feel his attempts to overcome the lack of light are enough to diminish the effects. Next, he plants flowers and shrubs and trees around the base of the lighthouse, and a nice, white picket fence, thinking of how beautiful the landscape of the lighthouse will be during the daytime hours. That has to make up for the burned out bulbs, right?!

The captain knows when approaching it that the lighthouse is close by. Even through torrential downpours and sky high waves, he knows the water well enough, even in the black of night, to sense where the lighthouse should be. He pushes back his bright yellow rain hat and long, straggly hair and clears the salty water from his eyes. He looks toward the shore to the lighthouse, eager to experience the rush of feelings it sparks in him. Tonight, however, its light is completely extinguished. The disappointment he must feel is overwhelming. In the dark, he can't see the new paint or the flowers, he just knows that there is no light to guide him and he must find his own way. Home just doesn't feel like home without the light he knows so well. He knows its comfort in the morning as it lights his way out to a new adventure and he knows the joy it brings him to come home to it during the night after a long journey. In the light of the next day, he braves the rocky shores around the lighthouse to see for himself if it's really the same one he's always known. In the daytime, it is still a beautiful picture, especially with the new paint and landscaping, but he craves the comfort of its light and he knows he won't rest easy until its beacon of light is restored for all to see.

Life can feel like rough seas sometimes and we all need a lighthouse. My favorite lighthouse, aside from God and Joe, has always been my sister. Brooke has always exuded beauty and power. But over the last few years, her light was covered and then let to go dimmer and dimmer until it was almost completely extinguished. I don't have words for how much I have longed for that light.

The best part of this year's vacation was basking in the light that is again shining brightly from Brooke. Siblings (especially those younger) create such a wonderful mix of fury and resentment and loyalty and love, but few have the power to inflict all those emotions at once onto their big sister. Brooke can and I love her deeply for it. Welcome back, B, and thank you for being the beauty and strength and light that lets me know I'm home.

To my new brother, Troy- Thank you. Thank you for not only appreciating the beauty of the landscape surrounding the lighthouse, but for lovingly changing the bulbs that so desperately needed to be changed. Mostly, though, thank you for just being there to lend support during the uncovering of the parts of the light that weren't extinguished, just covered. I can only thank you by showing you the unconditional love that I was raised with, because that unconditional love is what makes my family so special. It's who we are and it's what we do. You earned your place within our family when you allowed my sister to shine once again. I love you, Kevin!! Thank you forever...



With that being said, Brooke & Troy had a baby boy in April and we got to be part of the family celebration of his blessing. Dawson Clem Young is as damn cute as his parents and it was such a joy to finally meet him!



Joe & I cooked for the celebration so that Brooke could spend time with her new mother-in-law, Janice (who is a DOLL, by the way!). Joshie Bear must've been able to taste Mama & Dad's cooking, because he made himself right at home during chow time! In fact, we think he was trying to save some in his binkie for a bedtime snack...



Uncle Troy ALMOST got Maxie on Cracker, but not quite!



The funniest event of the whole day, though, was Joe thinking he needed to learn how to rope, which is Troy's favorite pastime. We were all crying with laughter as Troy patiently tried to show Joe the finer points of roping. Sadly, this wasn't even brought on by alcohol!





All in all, it was a great day and we enjoyed getting to know Troy's family and spending time together as a blended family in Brooke's new home. I love you, sissy! Welcome back.