Lunch date to Oddfellows

All of the sudden my little baby has turned into a walking, talking, dog loving, board book aficionado and I could not be prouder. Just when I think he has reached the best age, a month goes by and he becomes even more delightful. Last week, as I was admiring how his new haircut made him look older I reflected on the past fifteen months. Often, it is hard to imagine what life was like prior to his arrival. He fills my days with laughs, giggles, smiles and the occasional display of independence. It is an honor to have a front row seat to see the person he is going to become, to be his safe haven and the recipient of his endless affection.  He is the friendliest, most outgoing guy I know and for as little as he is he has a heart the size of an elephant. 

After we finished our lunch at Oddfellows we stood on the sidewalk to chat with our friend. As we conversed he waved, smiled, laughed and interacted with a variety of strangers. He was undeterred by the less friendly individuals and motivated by the kind ones who took the time to stop. Jasper constantly reminds me to be kinder, more loving and to step outside of my comfort zone. He teaches me much and I cannot help but constantly feel he was put on this earth to make the world a better place. There was one man and his charcoal gray who stopped and talked to us for a moment. He held tightly to his over friendly dog and warned us that since children are usually sweet and sticky his dog loved to lick little children's faces. We asked him his dog's name and much to my astonishment he replied Asher. I am always a bit caught of guard when I hear the name Asher, but oh how my heart skipped a beat. I asked him if he knew what Asher meant and he didn't so I encouraged him to go home and read about the name's meaning. Even on a random Wednesday, on a sidewalk on Capitol Hill I am able to have reminders of my sweet little son, Asher. Blessed and happy are we to have him as a part of our family, as our little guardian angel.