Footprints of Friendships

There is a picture that hangs on the wall in our hallway.

Some People come into our lives and quickly go. 

Some stay for a while,

leave footprints on our hearts

and we are never; ever the same.

It was given to me by Jennifer several years ago.  It has become an important piece of our home.  Not because it a beautiful work of art, rather, it represents a beautiful work of art - friendship.;

I am melancholy this morning.  I need to redefine friendship in my life.  I am looking for my friends, my colleagues, those who know and love me and will accept me just as I am - with my faults and failures, with my oddities and idiocrasies - with my moodiness, guilt, and joy.  I want to eat lunch with someone today who understands me.  Someone who I don't have to pretend with - not that I pretend, I am who I am - you know what I mean?

I want to share an inside joke, a laugh with someone today.  I want to sit around morning prayer with a smile and piece of information that I know will bring encouragement and joy. 

I'm tired of feeling alone in a crowd.

Remember me today, my friend.  Think of me.

As I look for you today, I know I will only find footprints.  You are not here.  You have, however, left these footprints on my heart as a memory and reminder of yourself.  My friends, I miss you today, and I look forward to...

It will never be the same, will it?

Sunday afternoon

I've made it a habit.  Of all the things that I ask as a dad, even my kids know and respect it.  Not only that, they expect it. 

When my family was younger, my goal on Sunday afternoon was to try to get them to all take a nap so I could.  I remember, distinctly, trying to get them to go to sleep.  It is an interesting phenomenon that the older you get, the more your desire sleep.  However, on most Sunday afternoons, they weren't having it!

Today, as I was cleaning up dinner leftovers and dishes and planning my afternoon coffee to be followed by my nap, I realized something.  There were no distractions.  There was no little ones to put down.  In fact, the only offspring home at the time was Adam and he was busy playing Xbox in the other side of the house.  Somehow, having the prime opportunity to lay down for a nap didn't quite seem as enjoyable as I thought it should.  I could lay down at any time, I wouldn't be interrupted or distracted.  No crying voices would wake me.  There would be no bottle or juice cups to make, no songs to sing, no child to rock.  The only distraction would be the silence of a house that I'm trying to call home.

Sunday afternoon, what I always wanted...

Homecoming, part II

The boys are going back to Connecticut tomorrow.  I will miss them.  It's funny how the relationship between parent and child changes. 

I let Jeremy drive home from my mom's today.  He did a great job!  I have to ask myself, "When did this happen?" 

We had a very mature conversation.  He is growing up.

This morning, when I woke up and went into the living room, Jeremy was asleep on the couch.  I very poignantly remember a time, it seems like not too long ago, when he would crawl into my bed and lay right next to me.  As I arose, in the early morning (I've always been a morning person), he would get up with me and wait for me to get ready.  Then we would go downstairs and sit the chair in the living room.  He would curl up next to me as I did my devotions.  My prayers for him then are not much different that they are today.  Where does the time go?

I also remember tucking Alex in.  Every night, I would lay with him and we would pray and debrief our day in his "doggie-nation" (dalmatian, to the adult world) bed.  Just as I thought he was asleep, he would say, "Just one more minute, daddy."  (Sigh as I wipe away the tears.)  Now I go to bed long before he does!

Tomorrow morning, Jenn will see them off at the airport to go back to their lives in Connecticut; lives, that we are not a daily part of.  And, we will continue with our lives in Oklahoma; lives that they are not apart of.  Perhaps this is the way it is suppose to be.  It must be, because it is the way it is.  I don't have to like it.  It is, however, the way it is. 

I must be honest.  I will miss them, but I'm proud of what they are becoming-yet, in my absence. 

Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again after moments or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends.~ Richard Bach

Farewell, my sons...

Homecoming

Tonight was homecoming at ETS.  As I stood there (standing room only!) and watched the students who had been chosen to the Spirit Court, my heart swelled with pride.  You would think that I was a parent of one of the students, but I'm not.  I don't think I can fully understand why I was proud.  Maybe, as I listened to the explanation of the qualification required for the students to be elected to Spirit Court, I realize how significant it was to me.  To know these students and to see them represent the student body was an exciting event.

I so appreciate ETS and the quality of academics and spiritual development that it represents.  Does anyone else see that?  Not only do I have the privilege of working there, I am also a parent.  It has been a journey for my family, but to now have the opportunity to celebrate and participate in this event made me realize the importance and significance of a Christian high school.

So, to the students of the 2011 Spirit Court, thank you.  Thank you for representing ETS; thank you for representing our Savior.  And, thank you for representing your families in such a remarkable way.

I am proud of you!

Reunited

As I write, Alex and Jeremy are preparing to take off from Bradley Field to fly "home".  Interesting, saying home.  They have never lived here.  But, it is where we are!  We are all excited to be able to see them again.  It has only been six months, but I wonder how they have changed?  I wonder how we have changed?  

Here is an old Easter picture.  Isn't it funny?  This is how I remember them.  Look at those smiles!

Tonight is homecoming at ETS as well.  Interesting correlation.  Homecoming...homecoming...It seems that "homecoming" can mean different things.  It could mean alumni returning to the alma mater to participate, as the audience, in their school's vicorious (hopefully!) basketball game.  It could mean two brothers flying half way across the country to their "home" to see their parents and other siblings.  What doesn homecoming mean to you?

This is the last "family picture" that I remember taking.  It was taken on Christmas, 2009.  Who would have thought that Christmas, 2010 would be so different.  That, even if we all wanted a family photo, we couldn't shoot one.  You can bet I'm going to have my camera out this weekend! 

Into Marvelous Light

Okay, this morning's devo was from II Peter chapter 2.  Wowers!  Take a look at verses 9-10 from the NASB, But you are a chosen race , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , a people for God’s own possession , so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people , but now you are the people of God ; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy .
How do you feel this morning, saint?  Let His spirit build you and fill you this morning.  Lift your hands and spin around!  I warn you, do not watch this video unless you are in a place where you can just LET GO AND LET GOD!

Join me as we run into that Marvelous Light!

Charlie Hall - Marvelous Light (Passion '05)