Friday, June 14, 2013

June Convergence

It just occurred to me that the first half of June is the perfect alignment of three birthdays. My dad was born June 12, my son on June 4, and my eldest grandson on June 10. Each of these guys have created enormous reservoirs of memories, attitudes, and perceptions.

This past weekend we trekked to Amarillo for my eldest grandson's birthday. He was the magical age of ten. It is a world of baseball, soft-air guns, fart jokes, and a need to be recognized. We were able to watch 2 baseball games (of the seven he played, we didn't go out until Sunday), participate in a birthday party where every game my daughter tried to implement became a game of dodge ball, and watch Enchanted with the entire McCall tribe and Eli curled up next to me on the love seat. We split time between the movie and figuring out how to get the scope on his air-soft rifle. Princess and accuracy, this is the stuff of a ten-year-old's world. It is a magical time. Old enough to do most things for himself, no girls yet to unsettle the universe, and a single thin thread back to the little boy world that he is leaving at light speed. He is growing up. There will be some years in the near future where being with Grandaddy will be a drag, but right now he enjoys it and I crave it. So on this June 10, it was a great moment.

On June 4, I was traveling from one spot to another, in and out of airports, juggling appointments and people. But I woke up thinking about my son born 33 years ago. I knew I  wouldn't see him for another week or so, but I wanted him to know that I was thinking about him. So I sent him a text. Short, but heartfelt. He has surpassed what I spent years praying about. So what do you say? I told him I was proud of him. I know that his mother did the heavy lifting. I know he brought a sensitive intelligence into this world with him. I know he was formed and shaped by a God that loves us all. But at some level he is still a product of my influence. We are not alike in personality or looks. He is quiet, an introvert. I am, well..not. He is long and slender. I am, again..not. But we share some traits. He loves his wife and will do anything for her. My bride occupies the center of my world. He works hard and will work in a job he may not be thrilled with, but will grind through it because he cares deeply for those it allows provision. I have spent some long years working in jobs I did not care for because it was more important to provide than to be content. He loves God and asks hard questions and refuses to accept easy answers. I am convinced this is a good thing and it mirrors my life. So in this age of technology I sent a short text that I hoped conveyed all the years of love and pride. This is a new age.

On June 12 I could have sent a text to my dad, but it would still be sitting there unread. It could be because he doesn't know how to answer the text, or it could be because he lost his cell phone again. Either way, it just seemed easier to call him. There is a blog waiting for publication two days from now and I will go more into his life at that moment. But to sum it, there is not another man in THIS world that I would rather be like than him. I will fill that out more later.

80 years of life, from Dad to me to Ben to Eli. I find great comfort in that line up. Godly men, who care for those around them, who will fight when need be, who do not back down. Not a bad heritage. I love each of them in a very special way.

Godspeed to those who find themselves in the wonderful moment of getting to live and love all the generations. It is a moment in time and gone in a flash. But it is a great moment. And I am thankful.
Don

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