On Bezel

Greetings Dear Reader,

Before today slips through the pinch I wanted to take a moment to wish my younger Son, Bezel a happy birthday.  I am so proud to be his father.  He has a heart that is filled with compassion and he cannot abide injustice leveled at anyone. 

He always knows when I am out of sorts and draws me into an uplifting conversation.  He can counsel me to be wiser than I am and often does so in a way that motivates me to be a better man.  I am thankful for his compassion and kindness.

As he celebrates his day I am also proud of the work he does and his attitude about that work.  He does an honest job with pride.  There is not much more he can do to make a father proud.  I do wish him on this advent anniversary to chase his dreams until he catches them.

I love you Son.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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Second Thoughts – Bezel’s Birthday

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

I miss my younger Son today.  We spoke earlier and I was able to wish him a happy birthday in an un-rushed manner.  We talked about his dreams.  He is anxious to get there but has learned the valuable lesson of putting in the work to do so.

I am more proud of that than I would be if here were a successful “fill in the blank”.   He understands hard work and can work hard.  He has learned that you have to build to success and is willing to do that.  I believe in his dreams.  I believe in him.

Take a moment and raise a glass to my Son on his advent anniversary.  He is a good man with a promising future.  I am honored to be his Father.  Happy Birthday Bezel.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Guardians of the Galaxy ~ NO SPOILERS

Greetings Dear Reader,

The summer movie season begins with Marvel offering chapter two of Guardians of the Galaxy.  As with most sequels to super hero movies we are treated to the funny bits we wanted from the first movie.  The expected Stan Lee cameo is awesome.  I will not say much more so as not to spoil it for anyone.

I found that the impact of the movie very deep hot on the heels of writing about Father Wounds.  It is the premise of the tale that Peter Quill (Star-Lord) is searching for his father.  I cannot detail the impact without revealing too much of the plot.  The story is masterfully told.  The production is amazing.

What stays with me is the search for a father.  At the core of things, we all search for that figure that can be an example, mentor, and guide.  Fathers are supposed to be all of these things.  As I sit here in the dark pondering the film and what it has taught me it is all very simple.

I follow a Son who never disappointed his father.  I search for a Father who is God and would claim me as a son.  The Son will lead me to the Father and all will be good again.  I want to love the Father.  I want to be in harmony with him.  Everything else is pretense.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

A Noble Son

Greetings Dear Reader,

I can still recall speeding through Atlanta traveling north from Peachtree City where I worked to Ashford Dunwoody.  The others involved were amazed at the speed of my arrival.  I had hurried there to wait.

It was not long until my eldest Son made his advent into the world.  He insisted on giving us a scare at first by lowering his heart rate to the point that the doctor thought to excise him surgically from the womb.  Just as his mother reached to sign the papers he declared that his exit was forthcoming. 

In a short time I was holding tiny boy full of energy and action.  Even when the nurses first placed him in his bed in the nursery he was already lifting his head.  I loved him so instantly and deeply on that first day. 

He is now a man with two sons of his own.  He loves them to the depth that I love him and perhaps more.  He is intelligent and hard working.  He has compassion for those in need and chooses to work in a place where he does good instead of chasing money. 

Today is his advent anniversary and I celebrate him.  We will gather this evening with his coworkers to bolster the effort of caring for those with great need.  He chose to ask us to participate in this rather than some special celebration for him.

I only love him more as the years pass through the glass.  I would find better ways to show it.  I love you Son.  Happy Birthday.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude – Me Younger Son

Greetings Dear Reader,

I was blessed to have dinner with my younger Son last night.  He lives in Georgia now so I do not see him as often as I wish.  There is a day that is as clear in my mind and hopefully will always be thus.  My younger son is five.  He is sitting in the back seat of the car and making up his own moves to a song I really like.   His smile is amazing.  His heart is soaring to the music.  His creativity is obvious as well as a predisposition to real rhythm. 

I am so thankful for my Son, Bezel.   He has a capacity to love others that is strong and powerful.  From his youth his intuitive ability to assess character and still accept people is invaluable.  I have life-long friends because he liked some people like Adam from the start. 

He never minds hard work and has some excellent visions for his future.  In a month of expressing my gratitude for things it is a joy to consider how much I love my Sons.  This man has the charm and wit to speak life to any who will have it.  I hope he one finds his wings.  The world would be better for it.

Valley of Dry Bones – Michael Card

Behold a valley filled with bones

Bones on every side

A valley vast, the floor so full

Of bones so very dry

The Lord did ask

Can these bones live?

Might these bones rise once more?

What else was I to say but

You alone can tell, O Lord

A legion now alive

A resurrected army

A living, holy host

Of a people born again

Then prophesy, O son of man

Cry out to this dead hoard

And when they come to life again

They'll know I am the Lord

And as I spoke what I was told

There came a rattling sound

As bone to bone they formed a mass

Of bodies on the ground

Your dead will come alive

Their graves will lie abandoned

And all those dwelling in the dust

Will wake and shout for joy

And then I called upon the winds

Upon these slain to breathe

At once they stood upon their feet

A mighty, vast army

A legion now alive

A resurrected army

A living, holy host

Of a people born again

Your dead will come alive

Their grave will lie abandoned

And all those dwelling in the dust

Will wake and shout for joy

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude – My Eldest Son

Greetings Dear Reader,

I was privileged to have dinner with my eldest Son last evening.   He is a good man and a good father.   He has deep compassion and strong convictions.  I do not get to have the amount of leisure time I would with him but when it is available I find great joy in it.

When I see him interact with others I learn from him.  Even his vocation is one of caring for people in need.   His aunt refers to him as “the best of all of us.” I am so very thankful for him.

I pray that he leans to see the beauty in his spirit.  I hope that he finds the joy he deserves in life.  More than anything I wish for him to know how deeply he is loved.

The Sunrise of Your Smile – Michael Card

Reject the worldly lie that says,

That life lies always up ahead,

Let power go before control

Becomes a crust around your soul,

Escape the hunger to possess,

And soul-diminishing success,

This world is full of narrow lives,

I pray by grace your smile survives.

For I would wander weary miles,

Would welcome ridicule, my child,

To simply see the sunrise of your smile,

To see the light behind your eyes,

The happy thought that makes you fly,

Yes, I would wander weary miles,

To simply see the sunrise of your smile.

Now close your eyes so you can see,

Your own unfinished memories,

Now open them, for time is brief,

And you'll be blessed beyond belief,

Now glance above you at the sky,

There's beauty there to blind the eye,

I ask all this then wait awhile,

To see the dawning of you smile

I would wander weary miles,

Would welcome ridicule, my child,

To simply see the sunrise of your smile,

To see the light behind your eyes,

The happy thought that makes you fly,

Yes, I would wander weary miles,

To simply see the sunrise of your smile.

For I would wander weary miles,

I would wander weary miles

If I could see the sunrise of your smile.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Home to House – A Moving Son

Greetings Dear Reader,

Thursday night at dinner my younger Son, Bezel joked about being homeless.  He too is moving.  He is returning to the south to pursue a career as a pilot.  We have had some very good times whilst he has sojourned here. 

He knows that he will never be truly homeless as long as I live.  I will miss him but this transition is one that is promising for him.  His brother feels the loss deeply.  Whether they are

funning or feuding there is a deep connection between them that they both need. 

He has potential that is so amazing.  I will miss the times we stole to have a meal or see a movie.  We will share a last breakfast today at my favorite diner.  My car is full of things to put into my new house.  I cannot bring myself to call it a home.

 

Bezel is always able to see my pain when I try to hide it.  I will miss him calling me out when I am not dealing with things properly internally.   When we (Avalon was still here then) adopted Christmas he drove all the way up here for the weekend to see if I had gotten in over my head.

His departure makes my journey into the unknown more challenging.  He journeys with my prayers and hopes that he finds a sturdy path and wings to carry him to his dreams and aspirations.  As my Son moves I know that THE SON will care for him far better than I can.  So as with all movement this bittersweet parting leaves me in awe and pain wishing this beloved man joy in his journey.  I love you Bezel.  I am proud to be your father.   Find the happy thought that makes you fly Son.

The Sunrise of Your Smile – Michael Card

Reject the worldly lie that says

That life lies always up ahead

Let power go before control becomes

A crust around your soul

Escape the hunger to possess

And soul-diminishing success

This world is full of narrow lives

I pray by grace your smile survives

For I would wander weary miles

Would welcome ridicule, my child

To simply see the sunrise of your smile

To see the light behind your eyes

The happy thought that makes you fly

Yes, I would wander weary miles

To simply see the sunrise of your smile

Now close your eyes so you can see

Your own unfinished memories

Now open them for time is brief

And you'll be blest beyond belief

Now glance above you at the sky

There's beauty there to blind the eye

I ask all this then wait awhile

To see the dawning of your smile

For I would wander weary miles

Would welcome ridicule, my child

To simply see the sunrise of your smile

To see the light behind your eyes

The happy thought that makes you fly

Yes, I would wander weary miles

To simply see the sunrise of your smile

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Great Expectations - Children

Greetings Dear Reader,

Today is my younger Son Bezel’s birthday.  I love him dearly and fiercely.  It is one of the things we fail at when we place too many expectations on our children.  He is in the midst of making some very positive changes in his life.

I want to you this space today to send a resounding “I LOVE YOU” to him.  I want him to be all that he is capable of being.  The only expectation I want to place on him is that he be true to himself.

I love you Bezel and am honored to be your father.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Talismans – A Dreidel

Greetings Dear Reader,

For those of you who do not know what a Dreidel is I will explain.  It is a four-sided top used in a game from the medieval period.  The game is traditionally played during Hanukkah.  You can read more about it here. 

The Dreidel on my desk reminds me of my Son Maxim when he was in high school.  He used to spend some of his time with friends playing the game at a diner.  It reminds me to pray for him and his relationships with God.  It reminds me of a moment when we were far apart but connected in the wee hours of the morning.

We talked over an IM service for about an hour.  He was just getting ready to sleep and I was just starting my day.  We talked about coffee, Dreidel,  and his approaching visit.  I first told him about Kopi Luwak during that chat.  He cracked up over the thought of what he called “cat poop coffee.”

He had no idea how much pain I was in during that moment.  Other forces were wreaking havoc on my spirit and his kind conversation did so much for me.  His time and the conversation pulled me back from the darkness trying to enshroud me.  I was able to face a hard day with grace and peace.

The talisman reminds every morning when I pray for my Son just how powerful he is when he is being encouraging.  It reminds me of his potential to speak good things into the lives of others.  It echoes the memory of his ability to wield faith as a mighty weapon.

I love my Son fiercely and know that God is the one who will ultimately call him back to faith.  The Dreidel reminds me to hope, pray, and believe.  It reminds me to love Maxim where he is.  It is what drives me to stand before God on his behalf.  Every time I glance at it I whisper a prayer for him. 

This talisman is one of faith.  The translation of the acrostic formed by the letters is “A miracle will happen.”  The world needs the miracle that is my Son when he moves in faith.  Perhaps you can pray for him too Dear Reader.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

On Giving Thanks – Children

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that I find an endless well of gratitude for is my children.  They are all three uniquely beautiful to me.  They all have hearts filled with compassion for others.  They know how to work and play with true spirit.  I see potential greatness in all three of them.

I know that my children are not perfect.   They are, however, amazingly gifted.  All three are intelligent in ways that awe me.  The eldest, Maxim, has a keen intellect and lightning insight.  When he combines that with love and compassion he can see to the heart of a matter and truly be helpful to others.  His commitment to his sons is without equal.

Bezel, my second Son has the same intellect coupled with lightning responses.  When he chooses to reach through the fog with love that loves burns bright and clear in a way that few can provide.  I think that he possess the kind of love that can crush any barrier that stands in its way.

Christmas, my daughter is much more intelligent than she believes.  When she looks at the world she assesses the needs of others and reaches out to them without fear or hesitation.  Her insight into the needs others is profound.  Her compassion makes a difference. 

I pray for my children every day.  I love them.  I enjoy being with them.  I try to balance helping and staying out of the way.  Above all today though is that I am thankful for them.  They challenge and improve me.  My life is richer because of them.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Boys of Summer

Greetings Dear Readers,

There is something about being a parent that is amazing. Opportunities abound when your children are young. Then they commit the terrible crime of growing up and opportunities become rare. As a teacher I had many summers to spend with my sons Maxim and Bezel growing up. We built some amazing memories and had some real and imagined adventures. I had the honor of teaching them to swim, discovering who they were becoming over Jamocha Shakes, and teaching them the wonder of baseball.

They are older now and the opportunities are few. They are good men trying to find the right path in a dangerous world. They are loyal friends. Maxim is a good husband to his wife Raven. His passion for the lost and seeing Christ touch the lives of others is inspiring. Bezel has a depth of loyalty and compassion that is incomparable. His charm and wit could win millions to Christ. They are amazing men who I also count at my best friends.

It astonishes me how much they have to teach me but I sometimes wonder about the things I need to begin to teach them. What is a father's place in the lives of his adult sons? I know that there are areas where I dare not tread. I must respect that they are young men but I see things they do not always see and am not sure how to communicate it to them.

There are other matters where I must teach them by action with few words. Currently I am teaching them how to handle pain and rejection at the hands of someone I love. I will have to teach them how a man handles aging, painful life changes, and facing the future without the love of your life. I hope they never have to apply these lessons but I will teach them just the same.

It is my job to be the example they need even when they do not wish it. I must handle all things with the grace and love of Christ. I must love them wear they are at all times. When I fail them I must own it completely. When they fail me I must insist that they own it but do so in a spirit of gentle and restorative love. I love my sons with a fire that is unquenchable. I challenge all men who are blessed with sons to do the same; be vulnerable about your failures, hold them accountable for their, most important, evidence the grace and love of Christ is all things.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn