Dear Mom and Dad,
Guess what! You did a great job. Thank you!
Thank you,
thank you,
thank you.
Thank you for providing me such a wonderful household to grow up in. I remember thinking when I was younger that our family was so "Brady Bunch"... I mean, minus the housekeeper and so many kids. What I really mean is that I always wondered why our family never had any problems. It seemed that everyone else's family did but ours and at the time, I thought that to be a little strange. GOODNESS though... how I came to realize how blessed I really was! I was fortunate to belong to such a wonderful, loving, caring, supportive family raised by you guys. You gave me nothing but your love and to this day still do.
Should I say it again? Okay, I will... thank you!
Upon turning thirty this year, I realize that at times I make different decisions than you would have for yourself or for me. In the end I am reminded of this letter that Dad wrote to us kids in October of 2007. It's a good reminder to always trust. Sure, I'd like to say trust me... but more importantly to trust God. As Dad writes, "I'll never worry about you because God has His wonderful hand on you and your future."
It's true. I thank you for your love, all you have done and continue to do. You are the best and I am so thankful to have both of you in my life. I smile with my heart when I write this knowing that I am beyond blessed to have you two.
Love always,
Christin
Matthew, Christin, and Lindsay:
Recently your Mother and I had a chance to view the night sky through a telescope. We were in Maui on top of the Hyatt Regency, and the telescope was all computerized so that with a simple command, it would rotate and focus on any planet or star. We looked at a lot of great plants…Saturn with its rings, Jupiter with its moons. Tremendous! Our guide said "Do you want to see a thousand stars at one time? He rotated the telescope and through the eyepiece, I witnessed a thousand stars at one time! I was totally blown away. Why does God care about me?
On the plane the other day, I wrote this…..
Your Son, That's Enough -by michael l. cogburn
The stars are brilliantly bright to the sight,
I know where they get their light.
You!
The planets tethered in rotation,
Swivel and turn with motivation.
You!
Starlight streaking unimaginable expanses,
Points of white sharper than cosmic lances.
You!
So vast, so great, so immense
"Created the heavens and the earth" is more than past tense!
You!
The majesty of You and Your Creation
Makes me wonder about my relation.
Am I yours and are You mine?
To be sure, please give me a sign?
Your Son, that's enough,
Don't matter about the rest of the stuff.
It is a joy to know that each of our kids know the Lord and have an on-going relationship with Him. As a father, I can know that each one of you is growing and living your faith. I am proud of each of you. You know, I am starting to see a little bit more of why God loves His children like He does and puts up with so much.
Matt:
To my only son and the one that set the bar high for the rest. Don't leave your first Love. Set the example for your wonderful family. Love God, love your wife, love your kids, and continue to be a man of character in your job and community. Remember what God has done in your life, and what a joy it is to serve Him. Don't look at Man, look at the Son. See how he lived and do as He did. Read the Bible and pray. These are simple things that will make you different in this chaotic world. Your compassion for peace makes everyone love you. I watch you with your son and now your daughter, and I see a loving and caring Dad. What more could I ask for? I love you and am proud of who you have become.
Christin:
Without a doubt, you have matured as a woman and have grown to stand on your own. You have made your own way and have learned a lot along the journey. As I think about my oldest daughter, I think of poise and determination. I think of broken love and a mended heart. I see such joy in your life now and purpose. Creatively, you have us all beat, and the world has not yet seen the real creative Christin yet. Go Girl! On another side of you, I see a really caring, and loving woman, full of compassion for kids and the broken. Your make me really proud when I hear of your serving God at Cornerstone and how the GA girls loved you….how the parents of the girls brag on you. Real love is coming for you, I know. You just haven't found anyone that loves you as much as I do. He will come, and I will have to step aside. But that's alright, because you need the love of a man and your own family. Christin, you are rich in talent, abundant in beauty, and full of God's Spirit. I will never worry about you because God has His wonderful hand on you and your future. Christ in the morning. I love you and am proud of who you have become.
Lindsay:
Out of all of our kids, you are the greatest surprise. Not your birth, because your Mother and I talked a length about having you. We really, really wanted you in our lives, and we are blessed because of you and what God has done through you. What a life changer you are. I think the real surprise is how you changed us. You made us younger, more caring, and more focused as parents. You gave us freedom to teach you and trust you. Your character is strong, your determination direct, and your love unbounded. Now you have excelled in every way with a full future ahead. Digging deep, you are conquering the greatest challenges, you are climbing the steepest slopes, and you are moving from mountain to mountain with ease. Don't be disappointed when the valleys come, for you know they will. They will make you stronger, and God will gain the glory for how you respond. I watch you and am amazed by your intelligence, your determination, and drive. I think President of the United States would be a great goal for you! God has truly bless you with special gifts. I love you and am proud of who you have become.
To my kids:
When I think of you, my eyes get all moist. I love you with all my heart and will do anything for you. I am your Father.
Love,
Dad
SIGNED: BREAK OUT THE TISSUE BOX!
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