I think it was Wallace Stevens who wrote about "bearing the beams of love." My parents gave us a wonderful and much-needed gift-- a minivan. We have been mythologizing it for Manny and Benici: Big Dad and MyMom knew that our family was getting too big for a regular car so Big Dad went to an auction. (An auction is not like a store, if you want something you have to stand up and say, "Yes, I want that one.") So Big Dad went and when our blue minivan came up, he stood up and said, "Yes, Manny and Benici need that one. I'll buy it for them." Then they told him to wait in a line for four hours until he could get the title. His legs were tired and he was thirsty but he really wanted us to have it. Then he brought it back to his house for us to get." I want them to know that God always provides for us and he is so lavish and so specific with his blessings. Photos: My dad circa 1971, with my oldest three bros. Geoff and Dad this summer after a triumphant run at the family balloon toss.