Luke 15:20 "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." --NIV

Sly is the black and white Border Collie who lives across the street. We live in the redwoods and our home seems surrounded by forest -- not exactly a Park Avenue apartment. Sly's owners often allow him to run loose. The street out front has more traffic than one might expect in these digs. I sometimes worry for Sly.

Reva is our son's dog. She is a Keeshund mix and is temporarily livimg with us. Reva loves humans but does not easily suffer other dogs, or squirrels, or anything encumbered by four feet instead of two.

That is, all except Sly.

She not only suffers Sly to live, she scratches at the door when she knows he is outside. She wags her tail whenever she sees him. After the usual canine sniffing sequences are over, they jump, and play and romp like a couple of kids. It is clear that Reva not only accepts Sly, she maybe actually loves him?

I am aware, of course, that the Bible quote above is a snippet from the story of "The Prodigal Son." However, I would like to focus only on the "child" part. This boy was his father's child. He had been gone a long time. Speaking as a father, I can tell you that separation from your children is no indifferent matter.

No matter that his son had spent his fortune with prostitutes and gambling losses, his Dad welcomed him home with a huge hug and a kiss. This was no dignified, sophisticated hug. His father sort of "tackled" his boy. He ran and threw his arms around him. No thought of wasted substance here. His Dad knew that money wasted could not be compared with the waste of his son's life. He had him back. That is all that mattered.

Today, we communicate across the miles with email and webcams. We call each other on the telephone and visit each other whenever we can. We go out to resturants and ask waiters to take pictures. Others wonder what the occasion is, but we are just getting together again after a too long absence. There are hugs and kisses and excited chattering. We're just being family -- and loving it.

There are no elixirs so strong or pleasant as a meeting of people who love each other. There is no substitute for that word love, the laughter, the human touch

. . . without the sniffing, of course.

-- Paul Morris