Ruby

We have more stuffed animals than we can handle but many of them have become dear friends (remember this post?).  A lot of Nate's stuffed friends were given to him when he was a little guy.  The one I'm going to introduce to you now is named Ruby.  Bob and Lorraine Ruby, a couple from our church, gave us this teddy when Nate was born.  It only seemed natural that he (yes, it's a he) be named Ruby.   Ruby sits in a rocking chair in Nate's room and is there every time we sit down to read a book...which we do a lot.  Part of our nighttime ritual is to say good night to everything in Nate's room -- Ruby, for some reason, always gets a special "good night."  Sadly, Lorraine Ruby passed away unexpectedly about a month ago (as an aside, being a pastor's wife can definitely stink when you're out running errands and your husband calls your cell to tell you that somebody is sick or has died.  Crying in the middle of Joanne's Fabrics was a little awkward.)  That first week after Lorraine's death, saying good night to Ruby was difficult for Lee and I but now it's nice to see Ruby and think about Lorraine (and Bob too).  Dear Lorraine, I miss you and enjoyed your feisty spirit when we'd talk at church.  I wish we could have spent more time together (I learned at your service that you and Bob moved 17 times in  the first 16 years  of your marriage -- how did you do that????)  So here's a special tribute to Ruby:

 A young Nate and Ruby -- June 2009

Ruby likes to ride the fire truck

Feeding Ruby a Teddy Graham, which seems kinda wrong 

(like giving a cow a hamburger)

Best pals watching cartoons

(if you're wondering,

that's a water spot on Nate's jeans not you-know-what)