Surprise! Ricky showed up at my door yesterday just as I was getting ready to leave for the day. He's five now, and his mom drove by here to say hi.

I was just leaving for a day of church Halloween and fall festival activities so I said, ok, Ricky, just come along.

Quickly I put together a black robe and painted his face white. A belt sort of held the whole thing together and that was enough for him to suddenly be in costume!

K and Ricky had a great time. They play pretty well together despite two plus years difference in age. K loves to ‘show off’ Ricky has her big friend, and Ricky sees her as a little sister.

And I loved having him – knowing he was going home again – soon.

I didn’t have time to talk to see what was happening right then, at the end of the day mom and I visited.

Turns out she’s been kicked out of the spare bedroom they were living in at a friend’s house. (and the ‘friend’ threw away all their clothes and possessions when mom was out grocery shopping). Mom was moving (nothing left to move, but you get the point) to a house I know very well that is just down the street from me!

Understand I live in the mountains – twenty minutes from town or a grocery store. Everyone out in our part of the country knows everyone else and it’s a little community. And Mom and Ricky just moved in less than five minutes away.

Mom started telling Ricky that he could come visit as often as he liked now and that K would be over to play a lot and that we’d all visit and be one happy family.

Whew.

I’ve got no problem being in Ricky’s life, but I did mention that I have a pretty busy schedule.

I usually need two weeks notice to arrange a visit or a play date. Today was the exception and you almost didn’t catch me!

Ok whatever…

….. and she rambled on about how perfect her life was going to be now that she’s living right down the street and the guy she is with loves kids and …….

I only wish the best for them.

Why doesn’t it feel good?

Other Stories on Ricky here (scroll down to read as many as you'd like)