Welkum bak

Last year, the house at the corner of my street burned to the ground. This was a HUGE event in our house. Firemen, fire trucks, water hoses, sirens... a boys dream come true. The washing machine in their garage caught fire, but I told Matthew that a little boy his age was playing with a candle and it caused his house, and consequently his toys, to burn up. I am sure the Lord will forgive me, its just that I have always had a fear of fires with my extremely curious boy!

The house was leveled and several months went by before building began again. Again, a boys dream...diggers, dirt, etc. Finally last week they moved back in. Matthew was so excited! He came up to me with a load of goodies in his hand and proclaimed that he was going down to the neighbors to give them gifts. Items included were a few stalks of celery ("They have got to eat, Mom"), 3 quarters from his piggy bank, and a few leaves for decoration. I explained to him that his gifts were great but I bet they would love a card from him even more.

He rushed off to the next room and several minutes later had a beautiful picture with the words, "Welkum bak". The picture was of a house with flames coming out of it and firemen with hoses! I was a little hesitant to take the picture to them, the picture reminding them of their worst nightmare and all, but Matthew was persistent. They were very kind to Matthew and told him that as soon as their refridgerator was in his picture would go up. He tried once more to give them his beloved quarters, but they politely declined. I am just glad that Matthew didn't ask to play with her "little boy!"