NOTE: Today’s post is not unmindful of the pain and grief too many parents know (some for long years), and these thoughts are offered in the loving memory of lost children (kids, young people and adults) such as Greg, Geoff, Nicholas, John, the twenty in Newtown…………
Andrew, Alicia, Naomi, Craig
“On the fourth day of Christmas my true-love gave to me…” Today I’m thinking about four unique gifts Rebekah and I cherish; they are such amazing blessings from God. Their names are Andrew, Alicia, Naomi, and Craig; they are our children.
Yesterday evening, just before midnight, Andrew and Alicia (The “A” Team) flew in from Italy and the Ukraine (by way of Michigan, where they spent Christmas with the Pashby family). Rebekah and I first met Alicia at the big Virginia wedding six months ago, but we’ve been looking forward to having her in our home for a long time.
arrive late last night
CHILDREN: Official wedding dates and celebrations may go into the history books and state records, but – so far as Rebekah and I are concerned – we’ve had four children since the day Andrew and Alicia’s engagement was announced.
When they’re growing up, children are this continuous (twenty-four/seven) overwhelming outpouring of time, attention, energy, knowledge, teaching, resources, hopes, dreams, focus, prayer, and everything imaginable. But then, in the twinkling of an eye and the passage of two short decades, they are gone, launched into the world as fully responsible, self-sufficient adults.
The happiness and fulfillment of our children is the most beautiful miracle to witness. Sometimes it all comes together the way we imagined from the beginning; sometimes it seems an impossible dream; sometimes it is a bittersweet story of stumbling, hope, redemption and promise; sometimes it sneaks up on you by surprise.
The happiness and fulfillment of our children is the most beautiful miracle to witness. Sometimes it all comes together the way we imagined from the beginning, sometimes it seems an impossible dream; sometimes it is a bittersweet story of stumbling, hope, redemption and promise; sometimes it sneaks up on you by surprise.
Summer 2012 – Andrew, Alicia, Rebekah, Derek, Craig, Naomi, David
BLESSING: I cannot speak for all parents, just for myself and for Rebekah. And so my witness to the Fourth Day of Christmas this year is maybe more personal than the majority of the blogging world cares to enjoy. But here it is, regardless. Our joy is beyond containing, and we are blessed beyond measure.
Peace, hope, grace and promise – DEREK
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