Thursday, September 6
The effects of 18…
My son turns 18 years old today.Just writing that makes me feel older. (It probably makes a few of you reading this feel old as well)
The desire to never look back on a stage of any of my three kids’ lives and say “Wow, I missed that stage, what happened?” has always been a driving force for me as a father.
And, I think, for the most part, I’ve been pretty successful. Each part of their growing up has been a blast. I wouldn’t take one time over another.
But this one…’Michael’s high school years’ have gone the quickest. My goodness, he goes away to college next year…What a great boy he is. Such a heart for people, such a heart for God, such a good brother (a real protector of Matthew & Meghan), smart, athletic, an incredibly deep thinker, a good leader, and he can throw a Frisbee Disc further than anyone I know.
Happy 18th Michael…I love you, son.
Okay, I’ve got to stop writing…the more I write, the more I cry, the more I can’t see the computer screen…so much pride, so much joy from such a wonderful son.
Mark Nelson at 10:49 AM 1comments
1 Comments
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at 11:55 AM
said... Mark,
I understand a little bit of how you feel. My oldest daughter turned 16 in June and is a junior in high school this year. She is now very much a young woman.
I remember bringing her home from the hospital when she was 3 days old. My wife and I looked at each other and collectively said "Now what?". I remember walking her into pre-school when she was 4 - that seems like a few weeks ago.
The only regret I have with her is that our relationship has not become what I had so much wanted it to be when she was little. I don't know why. I don't know where I went wrong.
I love her more than I can find words to describe. But there are days when I don't like her very much. Somehow I never expected that to happen.
My wife and I are blessed with 2 wonderful daughters who have been nothing but a joy for our lives. I thank God for the privilege to be their father.
Jeff