Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay
“So,” Capt. R.E. Ludlow said to his wife and assembled seven grandchildren, “what do we think about my new therapist, Major K.B. Mueller? Youngest to eldest, think and then speak!”
All seven Ludlow grandchildren – five-year-old Lil' Robert, six-year-old Grayson, seven-year-old Amanda, eight-year-old Edwina, nine-year-old George, ten-year-old Andrew, and eleven-year-old Eleanor – considered what they were going to say, and Capt. Ludlow had a flashback to his own childhood … a childhood in which he and his siblings at those ages were not allowed to even think they had an independent thought about their father, grandfathers, and uncles' associates.
However, Capt. Ludlow's Lee-of-the-mountain great uncles were much gentler … too secure in themselves to be threatened by whatever thought a little child might have. Young Baby Bob Ludlow had not seen them often, but with them, he had felt safe. They were the only men in childhood around whom he had ever felt completely safe.
All those good childhood memories came rushing back all of the sudden and nearly took his breath away … he focused on seeing himself in front of him, and then registering: that wasn't him as Baby Bob Ludlow, but his grandson Lil' Robert Ludlow, gathering his many thoughts and getting ready to put them forth.
“I like him,” he said, “because, see, he has red hair, and everything is better with red in it, and that also means he has a good brain to be growing that color hair, and then, he really explains stuff, so then, even though I don't get it, I feel like next week I will, because I feel like he really wants us to get it and he really liked all of us and cares, and then, he has red hair too, so, I like him!”
“He seems like someone who would sit down and talk with us and build some things with Legos with us if we asked him,” Grayson said. “I like him too!”
“He just seems like he cares a lot and is really nice, and he has a nice voice so you and he can sing together and stuff,” Amanda said. “I like him!”
“He actually came on Zoom dressed right and even stood up to get something so we could see he wasn't in mismatched pajama pants or something,” Edwina said. “See, I had a backup plan for if that happened, but, I'll tell you about that later, Papa.”
“He seems like he has a lot going on for himself,” George said, “like my therapist. He seems like he knows what he is doing and he really cares, and we need you to have the best, Papa.”
Andrew and Eleanor looked at each other, and Eleanor nodded at Andrew.
“Ellie and I talked about this in advance,” Andrew said, “and we agreed on what we would be looking for with Maj. Mueller.”
“We wanted to know that if tomorrow it could start – or really next week,” Eleanor said, “that this doctor would understand how much we need him to make sure you get back here alive and well, Papa. We have to trust him with the first of the eight people we love and need most in the world, and that's kinda hard.”
“But,” Andrew said, “I think he gets it.”
“So do I,” Eleanor said.
“So do I,” Mrs. Ludlow chimed in.
“So do I,” Capt. Ludlow said. “We still need to pray about it all together, but I truly believe that Maj. Mueller is a man who is skilled in his work, loves the Lord, and is part of the answer to many prayers I have been praying to stay healthy and strong for myself and all of you as long as I can.”
“We pray about that too!” Amanda said, “for you, for Grandma, and for our neighbors the Trents – that we can just live and be healthy and happy!”
“We do – oh, yes, of course we do!” George said as he caught a dirty look from elder sister Eleanor.
“If we are still learning,” Capt. Ludlow said, “that is all right too.”
George came and snuggled up with his grandfather in relief, and then all the Ludlows went on and got down on their knees and took turns praying about Maj. Mueller and the work he and Capt. Ludlow would be doing together. When they were all done, Capt. and Mrs. Ludlow shared a huge group hug with all the children, and then all but Edwina went back outside to play because she and her grandfather were going on their walk.
“Go on to the ladies room, Edwina, and then we will go,” Capt. Ludlow said, and she skipped off while her grandparents drew together.
“I need your deeper thoughts, Thalia,” the captain said.
“I feel good about Maj. Mueller,” she said, “I sense in just the way he speaks and explains things, and in the way he acknowledged that EMDR therapy has to be adjusted slightly for a man of deep faith such as yourself who would not find closure in a mere self-referential endpoint, that he is the man God has sent to go with you, and us, through this next stage of your healing.”
“I feel the same way,” Capt. Ludlow said. “A great burden has lifted from my mind in speaking with him. His patience with the little ones and their questions – Ludlows are tough customers, overall – showed me that he understands what is at stake for me, and us!”
Mrs. Ludlow chuckled.
“George is going to make a great lawyer if he makes it to ten years old – would you look outside, Robert, at what our little prosecutor is about to do?”
“GEORGE GREEN LUDLOW, DON'T MAKE ME COME OUT THERE, AND DON'T HAVE ME COME BACK HERE TO HEAR THAT YOU TRIED THAT AGAIN.”
“Yes, sir – climbing down!”
“I'm so glad we are going for our walk – I need a break!” Edwina said.
“Didn't you just come back from a cruise?” Capt. Ludlow said.
“I mean, I need a break with you, Papa,” she said, and ran and snuggled up.
“Well then, break time commencing – see you later, my love,” Capt. Ludlow said, and kissed his wife on the cheek before he and Edwina headed out the front door for their walk.