Saturday I attended a high school graduation. Several of the
graduates were students in my second grade class ten years ago.
Hugging them was a new experience. It was my turn to reach up to
wrap my arms around them. Some had lower voices. One had
a beard! All had grown-up faces. I missed the innocent faces
that welcomed me each day so long ago. Yet, my heart swelled with
pride at their accomplishments. It was bitter sweet.
The emotions for their parents were more intense. Several warned
me they might burst into tears at any moment. Others spoke of how
they already sobbed a bucket full of tears. Even before graduation
day.
We all know our children will grow up. We even pray for them to
mature into godly men and women. Yet, we don’t want to let them
go.
When our sons were toddlers, I heard a great teaching. The wise
pastor stressed the truth that our children are on loan.
On loan?! The thought of giving either one of our sons back to
God hammered at my heart. Eighteen years wouldn’t nearly be enough
for me to spend with them. I knew that one day they’d move out
and live on their own. It wouldn’t be the same.
Back then, my challenge became: survive each busy day while
savoring each precious moment.
Parents often celebrate children’s first: the first word, the
first step, the first day of school…
While on the treadmill of life, the last time children do things
fly by unnoticed.
Why not determine to celebrate children’s lasts: the last bottle
feeding, the last time they need help tying a shoe, the last time
they need help selecting clothes, the last soccer game, the final
recital, the last time they need a ride somewhere…
There’s a wonderful book that helps establish that focus. I
recommend the book, Let Me Hold You Longerby Karen
Kingsbury.
Warning: tears will blur the words while reading the book. It
should come with a box of Kleenex!
[Another similar book is, If I Could Keep You Littleby
Marianne Richmond.]
Our Bobby's kindergarten Our Robert's
medical school
graduation
graduation
What last milestone is your child
approaching? Brace yourself and be prepared to celebrate
it!
