Late Night Thought

It's Halloween night and I'm working on my final paper for my senior class. Sara and the little one are asleep, and I thought I'd reflect for a moment. I never thought it would be so hard knowing I am going to be a father and not be able to tell anyone. It is all I can do every day not to let it come bursting out of my mouth. I want you all to know how blessed I feel to have a family that loves Sara and me. Neither of our families are perfect, but we are all loved by a God who is.

As I learn what it is to become a father, I am grateful for those who have gone before me. I am so overwhelmingly blessed to have positive male role models in my life. In today's American culture, many boys grow up without even knowing their father or having one they can learn from. Thank you dad, Gary, and Tim for being in my life. Thank you also for grandfathers who have shown me honorable and hard working lives. Each of you men have touched me and influenced what I have come to call manhood.

Moms, life begins in you. Literally. :-) I am also thankful for the strong and loving influence of the moms in my life. The will to not give up when the road is tough. The desire to care for and bring out the best in a young boy. The openness to accepting a stranger into your family and learning to love him like one of your own. I can not buy the lessons I have learned from each of you mom, Linda, and Mary. You are a blessing and an inspiration in so many ways. Grandmothers I can not even begin to describe what your influence has meant on my life. Please just know I am the man I am today because of your nurture, guidance, love, and even firm hand when needed.

My heart is full when I think of all those I call family. Know that you are loved, that you are a part of our lives, and that you are tons more influential then you will ever comprehend.

"A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is grief to his mother."

Proverbs 10:1

If I am wise it is because of all of you.