Well Satisfied With Life

The family really grew in a way that could only be God’s providence in 1993. Doris was working at Lifecare as an aide when a new charge nurse was hired. Tena Chaivre and her husband Joff were newlyweds. She was from Canada, his family lived in Texas and Michigan, so they had no one close to them in Delaware. Doris and Tena became close friends and when our TV died, they “loaned” us one of theirs they were not using. Tena had expressed to Doris a desire to have a baby. When Doris hurt her back at work and needed to stop working, she told Tena she would quit work and baby sit. Alyxandria was born June 9, 1995, and in mid-July, because Joff and Tena both worked overnight, Alyx began spending the nights with us. After Bryan left, we had two more foster boys, Mark and Jamie, came to live with us. Joff began to take them fishing, or out on the lake, or other fun things that I had no interest in, so we kept Alyx in exchange for his time with them. We also had another granddaughter that summer. Troy’s daughter, Rachel Perry was born June 26. Unfortunately, he and Kelly were divorced not too long after this and he moved to Texas The relationship with the Chaivres had become so much more than watching Alyx and Joff entertaining the boys. We invited them to family times. They were included in holidays. Our boys began to think of them as family. But the real connection came when Alyx was nine months old. At a birthday party for a one-year-old boy I was pushing him in a swing. Alyx came and clamped her arms around my legs and would not let go until I moved away from him. At that point, she became Papa’s Girl and we developed a bond that could not be broken. I could write a whole book about our relationship, but some outstanding memories are time in my office with her sitting on the floor drawing pictures and the two of us were in all of them. I could not leave the house without carrying her, she and I were the only ones allowed to sit in papa’s chair. She taught me a love I had never known before. 1997 was another year of family growth. On April 14 Sarah Noelle Walls-Mathis was born to Stephen and Beth, now living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Later in the year they would move to Schenectady, New York where he was the preacher for the Church of Christ. Shortly before that move, all the family was in Abilene for the wedding of Paul and Shawna. He had asked me to be his best man because a friend was officiating the wedding. But at the last couple of days, his friend could not and they asked me to officiate. That meant I was able to preside at all five boys’ weddings. In August another change came from an unexpected source. Kelly called and asked us to take Donnie, now eight years old, and raise him. Troy, still in Texas, agreed. After a day in family court, we brought him from Massachusetts to Delaware. He was a shy, scared, little boy. We had never been together except for one- or two-day visits so he hardly knew us. When we enrolled him in the second grade, we requested Diane Pase to be his teacher, and our request was granted. Her knowledge of his circumstances made the transition easier. Donnie’s coming solidified the relationship with the Chaivres. In spite of the age difference, he and Alyx became like brother and sister. He often wanted to talk to Tena when he had something bothering him. And Joff provided the outdoor activities he desired and helped him when Donnie joined the Scouts. These relationships helped but he was still homesick for his mother and sisters. We made frequent trips back to Massachusetts so he could see them. Donnie developed a very strong dependence on me. Every time I left the house he wanted to know where I was going and when I would be back. Evey day, he asked me if I would be home when school was over. In October, Don and Goldie Huggins moved to Arizona and I drove their car to them. I left with Donnie clinging to my legs, begging me not to go. It was only a five-day trip, but Doris said he was miserable the whole time I was gone. Through all the adjustments necessary in bringing Donnie into our home there has never been any regret. He always did well in school, made many friends, and was readily accepted at church. He and I continued with our closeness, but he always loved his Nena too. He was obedient and respectful to us and never caused any big issues at school or anywhere else. Troy came from Texas to Laurel to be closer to Donnie. This was after a time of not being close to him. One of my favorite family stories occurred in 1998. Alyx had always gone to church with us and she took her Sunday School papers home to her parents. They had begun to attend occasionally and started asking questions. When Larry West and Bob Danklefson were in Laurel they agreed to study with Bob. On a Sunday afternoon, they were baptized. Alyx described it this way: “Papa took Mommy and Daddy into that big bathtub and washed them with Jesus.” Many tears of joy flowed that day.