My friend Ruthie Lowery and husband "G" are in town from Denton, Texas. She and G arrived last Monday to attend Ruthie's daughter Sonnie's second child's birth. Mason Cliffie arrived on Thursday, all 10 lbs., 2 ozs. of him.

The birth of a child is always a special and blessed event, but in the case of Mason, even more emotion was involved in his arrival.

Ruthie's youngest son Cliffie, 31 died in July of this year. Causes unknown. He had experienced demons in his young life, and the young man's life ended abruptly.

The pain and sorrow that Ruthie is experiencing has been almost unbearable for her. She has made a memorial in her garden in Texas to constantly remind her of his life and death.

I cannot imagine, nor do I wish to be able to do so, the pain and suffering she endures at the loss of her child.

In a very small way, this baby will have a soul watched over by his uncle Cliffie.

Ruthie and I are travelling to Columbus today to lunch and shop at Von Maur. A favorite passtime from our years of travelling together to participate in Women's Council of Realtor's functions. We miss these time spent together, sharing the innermost thoughts, joys and fears.

Today we will capture the time since we've been apart.

And Cliffie will watch.