6,647...
It was an emotional experience to say the least.
This post is a letter to my boy.
I want you to know that these 6,647 days have been the best days of my life. I want you to know that 6,647 days ago all my ambitions changed...and my one grand ambition became this: to be your dad. I wanted, and still want, more than anything to prepare you for what is to come...to help you find your way...to introduce you to the God of your fathers.
I look back over our time, and wow, it was so fun. I'll never forget you learning to hit a baseball in our backyard. Being "Mr. Mom" for you and "G" when we were in Durham are still the "good ole days" to me. Holding you...hearing you laugh...tickling you...kissing you...wrestling with you...telling you stories...hearing your stories...just looking at you and being with you has been my greatest privilege and delight.
Your life has been music to me. Listening to your music has brought peace to my heart...you are truly a David. God is in your music. You are a beautiful soul and I hear it when you play your songs.
The house will be quieter now...although I'm glad to say you do have proteges...still, we will not be rocked to sleep by the sounds of your piano...or get lost in our thoughts to the sound of your guitar as we sit outside on a lazy fall day. You will be sorely missed.
I named you well...Jordan...for you have been a river of life to our family...a peaceful flowing stream...by you many trees have been planted that will grow to great maturity and beauty.
So, at the end of this book ("the end of the beginning") we look and see that the small creek has become a mighty river that flows with great confidence and depth. The creek has finally found its "legs" so to speak. The journey of a river is a frightening and wonderful thing with floods and water falls alongside long stretches of peaceful meanderings through gentle meadows and big woods. In winter, spring, summer and fall it continues its journey and in each season it looks different...but the direction of the flow is always the same...towards the Great Sea.
I cannot see your final destination or how you will get there, but I know this...you were meant for the Sea...and by that, I mean, you were meant for God and in the end, your river will flow to him, for he is the Great Sea. As you journey towards the Great Sea, many will find life by your banks and perhaps a few streams will be luck y enough to join you...if only for a while...if only for 6,647 days.
I love you.
Dad
P.S. I think that perhaps our "rivers" will join again someday...especially when you need money ;).
fr'nklin
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Though it isn't quite the same, my daughter is off to Middle School this year. No more nurturing, safe, single-teacher, single-classroom Elementary School and into the means streets of programmed school and hormomes run amok.
My wife took her away for a 3 day retreat and I wrote her (daughter) a similar letter. It goes fast. My heart weeps for kids that *don't* get this kind of affirmation as they head out into life.
The good thing I've found is that the relationship isn't changing. It's simply evolving to a different kind, one with its own challenges and joys.
Winds of Change
by Anna Elizabeth Jefferis
On the wings of gentle grace,
come the winds of change.
Steady in this life they blow,
close companions to our pain.
Yet take heart, dear souls,'tis not the end -
these sorrows not to stay.
These winds are needed to stir up hope and put Sonlight in this day.
A changing wind may break a branch
and therefore prune the tree.
But new growth dost lie under the skin, bringing joy to thee.
So hold on tight, to hope and joy,
and brace against the gale.
Though brokenness comes for a while,
'tis His peace that will prevail.
Fred...we need to hang out again soon. So much happening. I can't believe how fast the time is going with my kids. I guess the saying is true, "Time flies when you're having fun!"
BDD...Thanks for your kind words. I did like the poem.