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"Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you." Exodus 32:34.

These are the Bible verses God showed me and what I am clinging to as I try and get through this difficult time. I always knew it was hard on parents whose children are in the service, and I never wanted to find out how it felt. Now I know. It is one of those things in life you don't know how it feels until it happens.

When Brady was 3 years old and still named Alvaro Enrique, his soon to be Dad, Mike, flew down to one of the dangerous places in the world and brought him home to be our son. Brady was literally half starved and had rickets. He was so starved he had to have therapy to walk. After we got him home, it was 3 months before Brady stopped eating and going to the bathroom  :)  We were much younger then ourselves, and didn't have much money. We sold our house to come up with what we needed and in return we got one of the most beautiful little boys you could ever hope for. Angelina Jolie's sons have nothing on Brady.

Brady is joining the United States Army.  He leaves tomorrow.  It is ironic that any sacrifice we've made for him pales in comparison to the sacrifice he is making to protect the freedom and prosperity we enjoy and allowed us to get him out of Colombia in the first place.  As much as it hurts, my good insightful friend, Ginger reminded me that Brady was never our's anyway; he belongs to God and all we can do is thank Him now. God bless you Brady. A day will not go by that we won't be thinking about you and more importantly praying for you. Your Dad and I and the rest of your family love you so much. I'm sure Grandpa is looking down at you smiling proudly. One of the last things he ever said to me (very unhappily)  was, "Blame Brady! Everyone's always blaming Brady!"

And God bless all the other men and women who are sacrificing so much for our country.

Click here for Brady's address. I know he would love hearing from you whether you're family, a friend or just someone who wants to lift up a soldier.




Brady's referral picture. He was the most beautiful little boy I had ever seen.

Brady in Colombia. Still in his orphanage clothes when Mike first got him. His toes were coming out to eat grass in the little black shoes. Of course, I still have the shoes and clothes.

Brady at the hotel he and Mike stayed at in Bogota. All the clothes I sent were way too big for Brady, so Mike bought him some clothes in Colombia, including this funky outfit. I still have it too.

Brady's butt was so skinny, it couldn't hold his pants up for this picture. I sent the Raggedy Andy doll with Mike to Colombia and unfortunately it didn't make it back.

When Mike and Brady were at the Bogota airport getting ready to leave for home, Mike bought Brady a carton of milk.  He was told that Brady drank a lot of sugar water and it was probably the first time he had ever had milk. Not surprisingly, Brady had 10 cavities when we got him home.


Brady gets his first taste of Whitney at the airport. He was scared to death she was going to take his balloons.

Brady's Grandpa, Marvin C. Flick. 1926 - 1998.

Dad was crazy about Brady. He would buy him Happy Meals, pizzas, etc. on demand. He used to pay him to read the Ten Commandments even though it was hard to tell my Dad was religious.  : - )  Because of him Brady always had money in his pocket.  My Dad was Brady's biggest protector and gave him unconditional love.  That was ironic since my Dad had a prejudice side to him.... love conquers all.

In kindergarten Brady's teacher started putting stickers on a specific spot of his papers if Brady was good that day.  Brady was always getting "good" stickers, and I was temporarily relieved until I found out my Dad had found the exact same stickers to make sure Brady always had the correct sticker on his papers!!

Brady now talks more about my Dad than about anyone else.  Actually, the last two things I remember my Dad saying to me were in regard to Brady.

Brady's Going Away Dinner

Where did the last 20 years go?