Thankful For Family
(here's advanced copy of my article for the most recent Church Newsletter)
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On May 23, should his grades cooperate, my youngest of three children will graduate from Duluth High School. Two weeks later he will leave for what sounds like a wonderful vacation spot- Paris Island, South Carolina- for Marine Boot Camp. It should be quite an experience, and maybe he will even learn to make his bed? So for my wife and me, for the first time in 23 years we will be home without children. We are thinking of having another…just kidding. Our two-year-old granddaughter will be over, most days, to brighten our lives. We have cats and dogs, church friends, communication via phone and internet. I’ve a feeling the kids still need us in lots of ways, and so we will be far from lonely. Who knows, we will probably even spend more time getting to know one another?
My oldest will graduate in May from West Georgia University with a degree in Psychology. Interestingly, both of my daughters are studying to be therapists. In jest, they sometimes say it is to figure out the mess I’ve made of them, and sometimes it is to figure me out. I suspect it is more the latter.
Being family is a wonderful, blessed, confusing mess. So often things do not go according to script. You love one another, sometimes you fight just to survive, and usually it all turns out good. We have been so blessed for the last 23 years to have had God and church to help us to succeed in this experiment called The Lyle Family. Church people have modeled for us healthy relationships, prayed diligently for our needs, shared unconditional love, and taught our kids about Jesus. God has patiently and persistently guided us through this rocky and unpredictable road of parenting.
Two graduations in one month! Should there be tears, they will be of joy. Thank you, God, for family.
04.22.08 (4:24 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
squirrelzone (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (1:58 pm)
A very busy and rewarding events coming up in the near future. Congratulations, I know that your children will be very successful in life.
You can pretty much guarantee that your youngest will learn not only how to make a bed but how to roll socks and fold the brown undershirt into small 6" x 2" area.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (2:06 pm)
Cherish, cherish, cherish...
Did I spell that right?
Congrats.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (2:07 pm)
Reply to: squirrelzone
The socks and undershirt discipline is new to me. But, hey, that's better than allowing them to rot on your bedroom floor, something that has been happening since we no longer clean his room or even enter it. Boot Camp speed up the process of becoming a man- we've been assured by several former participants. That sounds good to me.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (2:09 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Thanks. Although imperfect, I think we've done a pretty good job. Of course, the job is not over.
posted by:
squirrelzone (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (2:09 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
I spent ten years in the Army and it has a very profound way of how shall I say?......Maning up.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (4:04 pm)
you truly are blessed. and your kids have a great mom and dad..and little skylar is a very lucky little girl!!
posted by:
mimi (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (5:57 pm)
AMEN! BROTHER DAVE! AMEN!
XOXOX
posted by:
toztee (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (6:35 pm)
Well congratulations old man! You've earned a gray hair or two by now. As for the nice vacation you mentioned...you should plan that for you and the wife. A rest well deserved. You've got a great family!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (11:05 pm)
So very much to be thankful for ~ AMEN!
((hugs))
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (1:23 am)
Congratulations PD, Indeed so much to be thankful for.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:39 am)
Reply to: LadyG
Thanks. I think a successful launch of a child into adulthood is very much worth celebration.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:40 am)
Reply to: auntconi
Reasons for thanksgiving abound, for all of us.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:41 am)
Reply to: toztee
So, do you think my wife and I could spend a week relaxing on the beach at Paris Island?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:42 am)
Reply to: mimi
You are sounding more and more like a Baptist in the "Amen Corner" of the church.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:43 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Skylar and I just spent some time playing with whatever happened to be in my pocket at the time. She is quite creative with a pen, business card, and stick of gum.
posted by:
toztee (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (4:46 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Actually I was thinking of the beautiful beaches of nearby Charleston. The whole town of Charlestown. That is where I'd be living if I had my wishes. I love stolling the streets, visiting the shops, and the food is awsome!! I even loved doing missions work there as did my son. Wish I could convince my whole family to up and move there.
