From Uncle Tim
By this point in time you should have recieved two scanned photos from the Schraders who were able to go out to our house and retrieve a couple of shots for us in our absence – one of Cassie and I and one of Cassie and Nathan that have been posted on our refrigerator since the day they were recieved. They are somewhat different pictures – but both are awesome shots, both of them, as Cassie is always smiling when the camera is present and has such a great smile (she deserves kudos for always showing it to the camera upon command..NOT a trait readily available in all women. 🙂
One picture should be of Cassie and I that was taken during our rehearsal dinner at Laura’s brother’s (John’s) house. It’s a great memory for me everytime I see it. She was her usual loving self that night; and, again, flashed that most excellent smile. It reminds me every time I see it of exactly how wonderful the wedding was – surrounded by loved ones like Cassie.
There other shot forwarded is of Cassie and Nathan – more of an informal, silly shot, where both look incredibly happy to be together. The picture was taken quickly (I think by Cassie) – an action shot, really; and the love both have for each other is so evident in their faces.
As clearly seen in the shot with Nathan, there is always plenty of love to go round when Cassie is present.
Whether Cassie’s with the twins or with Laura and I, or with someone she has just met for the first time, she has always had an unusual sense of compassion for others around her and she is always putting other people’s needs ahead of her own. SHE IS THE ULTIMATE CAREGIVER.
She has always been there for all of our family members with a good hug and a kiss; and if someone was not feeling quite well.. the care-giver in her naturally kicks in and she blesses us with her unconditional love and affection… every time.
I am sure that her unconditional love is the reason the twins ask for her time and time again; and usually at the most unpredictable times. They think of her in the middle of things (i.e. …bath time, in the middle of a restaurant eating, etc.) which is undoubtably due to the one true constant they must feel when they are around her. Love. I know this because we/Laura and I feel the same whenever she is nearby.
We hear them say… “Can we have Cassie over?” ” When will we have Cassie over again?” “Is Cassie baby sitting us tonight??” This last question is always met with frustration if the answer is anything other than “Yes!”
2011 is a Christmas that we will be spent with the McReynolds – away from our Hickham loved one’s who will be four states away. And while having to say Merry Christmas over a phone is unavoidable this year, so are the (many) wonderful *unavoidable* memories that Laura and I have been able to share with each other as we put some thought to all the times Cassie has been there for us. She is a witness to all of us of Christ’s enduring love for us which is evidenced by her incredible smile, and her uncanny sense of compassion.
This year (via her Daddy’s request) , she has bought every one of our family members something money cannot buy…real memories of unconditional love; examples for all of us as to how we should live…whether it is Christmas 2011 or any other day of the year! *
(*And we thank you for that, Cassie… we miss you babe!! Merry Christmas!)
