Ok, so I hit the double-nickel on my birthday week before last. Dory asked me if I felt any older – something I always ask them – and I said, “No, it’s just the next day.” This past week DaLee and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. I joked with my sister in law that I don’t know how I’ve been married 22 years when I’m only 21 years old. Anyway, all of that was fine.
The thing that really made me feel old(er) was taking Bretney to visit a college. We have finally reached the point where she is about to finish her public education. No more papers and report cards to sign and return. No more semi-annual school pictures. She is so close to the next chapter in her life. As we talked to professors I did my best to let her talk, encourage her to talk, will her to talk. This is one of those turning points that we’ve been leading up to and trying to prepare for. Slowly, gradually, we have been letting her test her self and her independence all along hoping and praying that our efforts as parents are good enough, sufficient enough to see her through. I don’t know if we officially have regrets but we see so much we planned to do and wanted to do and didn’t get done. Now the old catch phrase “let go and let God” is making more and more sense. We did and do what we can with much prayer and then entrust her to God.
And just like God, we will always be there for her. We may not like or agree with decisions she makes but we will always love her. Once God adopts us into His family through His Son Jesus, we are a part of His family forever, just like Bretney will always be a part of our family. There may be emotional and even legal ways to cut folks off, but she will always be my daughter. And ever since I gave my heart to Jesus way back in elementary school, I will always be His child and a part of His family. Praise God for His indescribable gift!!
So good to see everyone again. We had a good trip but it’s good to be back home with family, too!
love ya, Bret.
