…is seeing my boys and having an instant connection with them…having them run into my arms and hug me seemingly forever…hearing Josiah say “I can’t believe you are here” and “I am so happy you are here”…hearing Zeke say “I knew you were here daddy!” and when I ask how he knew he says in that sweet voice he has, “because I love you!”…Zeke voluntarily wanting to give me a kiss at random times…putting Zeke to bed and having him ask me not to leave and to stay because he wants to see me again…starting to perform all my typical dad roles and actions which I have always loved doing and thrive on doing (I love being a dad…and a parent)…reading four books with both boys in my arms and them not wanting me to stop (how I have missed reading to them everyday)…sitting on the couch holding Josiah for an hour in utter silence while he reads his Boba Fett/Star Wars chapter book and having him randomly looking up at me and smiling as he realizes I am there and I am the one who is holding him…putting Josiah to bed and him telling me once again, he cannot believe I am here and he is so happy and loves me…and asking to see me again the next day…
this is pure happiness…
You have brought tears to my eyes, my son. I love you so and am so happy and thrilled that you had this stunning moment with your boys! You deserve every bit of it. I love who you have become. I may not like some of your opinions and may not understand some of your beliefs or agree with them, but I see you as a well rounded individual, experiencing and enjoying life to the fullest just the way God has created you to be and to do. I love that you love life and are living it to the fullest. You are an awesome writer too and I think you should think about writing a book. You’re my son and I may be prejudice, but I think you are freaken awesome!
Love you,
Mom
Posted by Glorya | January 4, 2012, 5:56 pmaw, thanks mom! Thanks so much for reading it and I am so glad you enjoyed it!
not sure about writing a book, but who knows, maybe someday I will have the desire to do so 
love you mom!
Posted by John | January 4, 2012, 7:20 pmHi John
So glad you made it back to the East Coast safely. Enjoyed seeing your boys a few nights ago and got to hold Zeke on my lap while both he and Josiah watched a Star Wars show. Zeke and Joe both have beautiful eyes and smiles. Love them both. Joe played a few bars, although rather quickly, on my keyboard. It was nice having someone actually play it who knew how to play. I’m so happy for your reunion with your boys. That is where you will feel complete. Happy New Year John and may this be the start of a promising year ahead. How’s the new job going? Can’t wait to see some of your pictures. Love Aunt Dee and Uncle Joe. PS I agree with your mom that you are a talented writer and should pursue that bent even if it is merely for fun. You do know how to write captivatingly.
Posted by Dolores Ercha | January 4, 2012, 7:34 pmI am so glad you got a chance to see the boys! I am so very happy to be with them again…this will be a great new year for sure! Thanks for reading the blog and the compliment on my writing!
Posted by John | January 5, 2012, 7:12 pmMy pleasure, John, glad to hear you’re enjoying your time with the boys. May it continue. You are in my prayers. Love you,
Dolores and Joe
Posted by Dolores Ercha | January 7, 2012, 8:16 amJohn – What beautiful and special moments with your sons! Your move to be closer to them was destined to be and God’s plan for you all to come together at this time in your lives. Glad you made it safely across country and imagine you are busy getting settled in your new surroundings and job. I am so glad for you and them. I will look forward to hearing of your hiking trips in the Smokies. My husband and I made a trip there every year and his ashes are spread in Cades Cove (please do check out that part of the Smokies in TN–it’s beautiful, lots of wildlife and history). I agree, your writing is an art that you should pursue… Love Aunt Arlene
Posted by Arlene Brammer | January 5, 2012, 4:49 amThanks for reading! I most certainly will be taking trips to the Smokies to do some hiking with the boys and there will be pics! and camping at the beach too!
Posted by John | January 5, 2012, 7:19 pm