A Little Bit of Bill

Isis has taken a liking to a new hat. It's much too small for Chris or I to wear and it actually fits her pretty well. It appears to be a blue baseball hat, but if you look carefully, it's actually an old navy cap....a cap that belonged to her Pop-Pop Long who sported it while working on helicopters during his time in the navy.

Those of you who know Chris and I well, know that neither of us are extremely outgoing people. Chris could give or take a crowd and I usually avoid them, even if it's people I know. Too much social interaction makes me tired, somewhat irritable, and sometimes just makes me want to cry. I don't know why it's this way but God made me an introvert. Then he gave me Isis who says "hi-eeee" to every...single...person...she sees. She's smiling. She's waving. She's saying "helloooooo!" And people are just so happy about this. Where did this child come from? Maybe Chris, but certainly not me.

Now those of you who knew Chris' dad, know that he was about the most extroverted person ever. If one word was needed to describe Bill, is would have to be friendly. He would talk to anyone. He thrived on conversation. He loved one-liners. There were no quick transactions taking place. He's smiling. He's waving. He's saying, "hello!" And people are so blessed by this.

I've begun to speculate that this is not an accident. God knows what's up. Isis is not like me. She is not quiet, mellow, or easily overwhelmed. She is like her Pop-Pop Long. She is talkative, friendly, and energized by people. In so many things she does, she brings Bill's memory back to me. Isis will never know her Pop-Pop Long. But I think maybe God helped her spot that blue hat hanging up high. Even though she doesn't talk to him on the phone or see him at Christmas, he is still a part of her. God has plans, you know. I truly believe that when He gently closed the door of Bill's life, he opened a window to his memory. And her name is Isis.