Houseguest

Meet Ralf. He's been living with us for the past six days. He isn't here permanently though. We are his temporary caregivers while our friend Esther is away at Disneyland. Yes, she goes to the happiest place on earth to get her picture taken with a sweaty guy dressed up as a rat, while we keep her real one safe and sound back home.

But, honestly, it's really not that bad. He stays in is house pretty much all the time and all we have to do is feed him. The kids are warming up to him and occasionally even think about petting him.

The truly blog-worthy events, however, come from the enigma we affectionately call Mom. From the first night, Jenni has refused to touch him, feed him or so much as look at him with both eyes. But in spite of the negative signals, she has mysteriously become his greatest advocate. She talks about him all the time and is passionate about making sure he's comfortable and taken care of. I think there may have even been a hint of tear in her one open eye the other day when she said, "Awe, he looks hungry..."

So when I finally asked her to explain this love-hate relationship, Jenni's response made everything clear.  "I just don't want him to die.  Of course, if he were ours, it would be a totally different story."

Thanks, my dear Bride, for reminding me why I like you so much...