Faith was loved by the whole family, and was put on a kind of pedestal by Ginny. When Elizabeth wasn't looking after the puppy, you could be very certain Ginny was. Only four, yet she had a soft spot for animals. Emma couldn't believe that it had been four whole years since she had given birth to her.
Charlie was also growing fast, and John often commented he was like a mini Ben, to which Olivia remarked 'We all need another Ben to keep us happy'.
Emma found herself often thinking about having another child. After that one miscarriage, she had been discouraged. Surely two children would be enough? Yet, something yearned inside of her to hold a newborn in her arms.
"Ben, would you like to have another baby?" Emma said softly one night as she lay beside him.
Ben looked down at her. "I'd always love another baby, but you're the one who has to endure childbirth. Two times might be enough but it's up to you. I'd always love another kid."
Mary Ellen seemed to be a little worried about getting married again. It had been six years since Curt's death, and now John Curtis was eight, he was old enough to read the letter Curt had left him just in case he didn't return. Mary Ellen hadn't read the letter before, so the whole family gathered in the kitchen while John read it out loud that night.
"Dear Son, since I am about to go away, I want to tell you about the life you have ahead of you. Your mother is keeping this letter for you in case I don't have the opportunity to tell you these things myself. Like you, I came into this family as a stranger. In addition to the love I share with your mother, I have had a special relationship with each member of this family that is now yours. I have learned what it means to take great joy in simply being alive from your late great-grandfather…and deep inner strength from your great-grandmother. In John and Olivia, you will have grandparents who will be eternally young, yet wonderfully old and understanding. You're a lucky boy to have such beautiful aunts to grow up admiring you: smart Emma, gentle Erin, and lively Elizabeth. And no matter what happens to me, you will have fine young men to look up to in your uncles: John Boy- the gift of words, Jason- the love of music, Ben- the drive to get things done, and Jim Bob- to show how to dream your way to the sky. And whenever you have a day that's rough and you need someone to talk to, you don't have to look any further than your wonderful cousins Ike and Corabeth. From all in this family, you are blessed with love. Your mother and I will do all we can to make this a better world for you." John paused, a lump in his throat. But he continued reading. "We give you just two things, life and love. The rest you will have to earn for yourself. And you will be the better man for doing so. With great love, your father, Curtis Willard."
