AND THE NUMBER IS…..

43. Yep, 43.

My babies, especially my lil Gypsy

makes fun of me on the things I call miracles.

Fact of the matter is, I believe too many people call

little miracles coincidences.

Well, I have a little miracle to share with you all,

Thanks Erica for allowing me to share what really

is your story. Erica and Baby boy have been friends 

as children. Her hubby, Scott, BB's friend since high school.

They are a couple that prove some still do marry their

high school sweethearts. I am one of those obnoxious mom's 

who once you are friends with my kiddo's I usually hold you

close to my heart, still a part of your life many years later.

It is one of the reasons I love Facebook, seeing all their

old friends, growing up, their own families.

Melts me.

Okay, back to the story.

Erica had seen some of the frames I have made and

hired me to make two of them for her.

One for her two sweet and precious boys

and then a very special one.

You see, Erica lost her daddy way too young to 

see her little boys grow up. She was her Daddy's girl and 

she was missing him terribly so her second frame was for her daddy.

I asked her to tell me a little about her Daddy.

Not about the Randy I knew as her Dad but who he was to his

little girl. She shared a few pictures with me.

She said he loved football,(Really loved football) pitt bulls 

and the number 43 had

to be somewhere on the frame.

I asked her to tell me a little more of the number.

It was her Dad's number for football when he was younger

as well as his favorite number. She shared with me that

since he has been gone the number comes up always 

in her life and she feels like that is his way of letting

Erica... know he is watching over all of them.

I start the frame but this one is taking me longer to put

together. When making such an important piece of art 

for a little momma who misses her daddy.

I started it but just thought something was missing.

I put it aside for a few weeks. Even though she had 

sent me a few pictures, It just was not what this frame

needed. The day I was on my way to spend time

with Ma Gus and her family who are my friends

I passed on highway one because road work was

a mess on 308,

As I pass Raceland, a little second hand store

that another friend, Doris has told me about is open.

It is never opened when I pass so I have to U-turn

in the middle of the road. Yep, my car breaks for all

garage sales and special stores.

I know I don't have much time but when I start talking….

I am going through all the mini's that I love and 

come across a small bag with two antique little

wooden footballs. Don't know how old they are

but I get really excited because I have just found

what it is I need to finish Erica's most special frame.

Not only are they already sooo cheap but there is

a 20 percent off sale. I don't know percent off dollar fifty

but I would have paid the whole amount, it did not matter.

Cool little footballs, right? Look how someone drew

the laces on this wood football. They are solid wood.

 I have to move on to Ma Gus

so I buy them and a few more things I "Just had to have"

and went on my way. It was not until a few days later

that the little number miracle that happens to Erica all the

time came to me.

I am ready to finish the frame. When doing one like this,

I always worry that it just will not be good enough

for the loved one who has passed. It will not be enough

to give comfort to a little girl who loves and misses her

daddy so much. I also know though, that I have to get 

it done. I go to the scrap room where the "MAGIC" 

happens lol.

I take out one little football and I take out the second,

I kid you not, on the back of the football someone

had added the number 43!!!

Yes, I kid you not, it was plain as can be, 43!!!!

 I right away text Erica to make sure I am not mixing up

the number, "the number is 43 right?"

"Yes ma'am"

then I tell her what has just happened to me

and she is in shock just like me.

Now, I can finish this frame and get it to one 

Daddy's little girl who misses him so.

(the middle portion where the pic goes 

is just my advertisement paper, it does not stay

once the pic is placed)

God, he often uses me as an instrument of His Peace.

This one was my pleasure.

Thanks Erica for trusting me with such an important job.

I love you and your sweet little family.

I Hope each time you look at this frame, see that little football,

you feel Daddy Randy's presence watching over you all.