So, I was scrolling through facebook this morning before work and I saw a post about bees. It was actually speaking of bees in a derogatory, but humorous way. I immediately thought of my sister and her hatred of these tiny winged creatures. I think her view of bees is that they are "out to get her"! You can correct me if I am wrong about that, Terrie. ;) Upon seeing this post about bees this morning my mind quickly went back several years to a very pleasant lazy summer afternoon. Terrie and I and the kids were out for a drive. I was driving with Terrie in the passenger seat and all the kids in back. We had all of the windows in the vehicle down and the wind was blowing through our hair. Wildflowers were dotting the side of the country road. Soft white puff clouds floating through the blue sky. Can you picture it? Ahhhhh!!! Bliss!! I am so looking forward to days like this very soon! It was bliss UNTIL.....Terrie started screaming hysterically and lifting herself up out of her seat in an all out panic!! She was attempting to hold her body up out of her chair with her arms. Her antics sent the vehicle immediately to the side of the road as if on auto-pilot. What in the world?!! She was hollering "BEE!!!! BEE!!!! OW!! OW!!!!BEE!!!!" I think her door was open and she was out of the vehicle before the car even came to a stop. As soon as she was out Jacob came flying out of the vehicle as well from the back seat. He was about 11 or 12 at the time. I can't remember what kind of weapon the boy had, but whatever it was he was using it with all he had in him to save his Aunt Terrie from the blasted enemy! He was lifting both arms up above his head and coming down on the bee over and over and over again!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Terrie finally said, "I think ya got him, Jake!" :) :)
I hadn't thought about this incident for a good long while, but remembering this made me think of how LOYAL Jacob truly is. Loyal to the core of his being! If you are part of "his tribe" part of "his people" he's got your back. You may not realize it until the going gets tough, but if and when things get tough for any of "his people" the boy is there BIG!!
Another example of his devotion to his people happened a couple of years ago when Gracie was in 7th grade, which would have made Jacob a junior. Apparently a boy in her class had flung a pencil across the room hitting Gracie. Gracie's reaction was to fling her pencil back at him. (YES! The girl does have some feistiness in her! ;) This resulted in both of them being sent to the office. The kids attend a very small school, so word travels fast. Jacob learned quickly that Gracie was "in trouble" and in the office. When the bell sounded to switch classes, which was the same time that Gracie and this boy were released from the office, Jacob met Gracie at the door outside the office inquiring of her "who is messing with you? Where is he?" Lol!! Gracie said she was kind of scared to tell Jacob....scared for the boy! Ha!! She just shrugged her shoulders and moved her eyes across the hall to where this boy was standing! Jacob, the big upper classmen gave this 7th grader the stare down. The glare that makes it very obvious that you best not be messin' with my sister ever again...and he didn't! Gracie learned that day that when the rubber meets the road she is a part of Jacob's tribe! :) He can pick on her all he wants...and he DOES....BUT, nobody else better be doing it. That job is reserved for him alone. (Well, he and his brother..lol)
Almost two years ago now, I heard the same words coming from Jacob as Gracie did that day..."Who did this?" His stance was strong and rigid, his muscles were tense and his voice was very serious. I was totally out of it and was surrounded by lots of people and emergency vehicles. I had just been hit from behind in my vehicle right in front of my house by a truck going about 60 mph. I knew both Jacob and Heidi were there....so concerned for me and so caring! Jacob's first reaction was to protect his Momma. Once again......his natural instilled instinct is to love and fiercely protect those he cares about!
His loyalty does this Momma's heart good!!
This quality has been evident in him over and over and over again! And, what an awesome characteristic it is! So proud of you Jacob Robert! Keep being who you are! I love you to the core!
