Brent's Birthday

Today is my son Brent's birthday. My firstborn. Here he is as a first-grader:


I can hardly believe he turned 32 today! I called him this morning before I went to work, since he lives in Michigan (it's a 3 hour time difference). He was born when I was in the U.S. Navy; just a boy myself at the time.

Here he is last summer:

Happy Birthday Brent!

Another First - Another Change

DJ has been talking with me about moving out on his own for several months now. Last week, he told me that he had applied for an apartment with a friend of his. Well I came home from work on Monday afternoon, and he was in the process of moving all his stuff out.

It turns out that he was moving in with another friend instead.

As I looked at his room almost empty, and meditated on our home with one less loved-one living here, I became very sad. For those of you who have already seen your children leave home, you'll know what I felt. Even those whose kids are still at home, you're probably looking forward to, and dreading that day. It's a paradox.

I want DJ to be independent, responsible, get on with his life as an adult . . . but for me it's another in a string of losses over the past several years. I know all the good reasons why this is necessary; children leaving their parents, but it's still hard.

If you have time, please take a moment and pray for DJ and the rest of us as we learn to live with another change.