used this time in your life to draw you close to Him, and to prepare you for what’s ahead. In the meantime, you’ll be in my heart every moment. And wherever you sing and dance for Him, we’ll be in the front row! I love you, sweetheart.
To Tyler, my lasting song …
For eighteen years, I wasn’t sure I could survive the goodbye, Ty. But the ride was so wonderful, so enjoyable that I could do nothing but celebrate as you grew from a baby to a toddler … and from those toddler days to your preschool years when you first began singing. I could do nothing but smile as you started school and proposed to that darling girl in your kindergarten class. “I had a ring, Mommy … so I asked her to marry me.” Never mind that I was letting my baby go; I was helpless to do anything but rejoice as you began performing in earnest, gracing the stage of Christian Youth Theater and making your Papa happier than he’d ever been. One day I turned around and you were in high school … the homeschooling years behind us and taking on every challenge you could find at our wonderful Christian high school. National Honor Society, choir leader, your first hit single in stores everywhere, basketball and soccer and cross-country — you made your high school years one adventure after another for all of us, and I found myself pushing thoughts of tomorrow out of my mind. The moments were simply too bright, your love for Jesus, your life far too compelling to do anything but enjoy the ride. But deep inside I always knew it would lead to this: your high school graduation. This month as you walked the stage with your classmates, I could hardly see for my tears. Precious son, I know that God has amazing plans ahead for you. He is your reason, your passion, your commitment to succeed … through Him, for Him, and by Him. But still I can hardly believe you’re all grown up. Just know this, Ty. Wherever your journey of faith and music takes you, we’ll always be there — cheering you on. I sometimes think about your Papa, and how proud he would be to watch the young man you’ve become. I still see him there in his favorite chair, the one by the fireplace, closest to the piano. He couldn’t listen to you play and sing without getting tears in his eyes, and I can’t either. This is the time of your life you’ve been waiting for. Life is your stage, Ty! Go change the world for Jesus, and let your very bright light touch the lives of everyone who needs it. Thank you for the hours of joy you bring our family, and I promise to stop and listen a little longer when I hear you singing. Your dad and I are proud of you. We’re proud of your talent and your compassion for people and your place in our family. However your dreams unfold, we’ll be in the front row to watch them happen. Hold on to Jesus, son. I love you.
To Sean, my happy sunshine …
I’m so glad you’re on this side of your knee surgery. What a hard time for you, Sean … and what a time of growth in so many ways. Some years don’t turn out like we planned, and this year that was all too true for you, sweet Sean. A blown out knee the third game of the football season, which led to surgery and a time of healing and rehab. You never let me see you down, never complained. But my heart broke at the pain you went through … and how you had to miss out on basketball season because your injury was that bad. But here’s what God has taught me through this: Sometimes His greatest gift happens in the healing. When we are quiet enough to hear Him, quiet enough to listen to His leading. I have watched you spend hours shooting free throws, hours dribbling the basketball and playing the drums so that when the school gathered for worship every Monday of the past school year — you were there keeping the beat. Who would have thought so much good could’ve come from something so painful? But then … isn’t that the lesson of the cross? Jesus loves you, Sean. Even more than we do. He promises that with Him, all things work to