For me, it confirms the status of empty nesters and leaves us only with our next great adventure. The kids have certainly been fun raising and I am sure if we had it all over again to correct the parenting mistakes we would make a whole set of new mistakes. We did our best and regardless now these young babies are all grown up and off to create there own adventures and lives. That is the exciting part and truly our most important task in life all of these years. To raise them and send them off.
This is the day for the wedding of our youngest son. He was always a shy one growing up, so much that many weren't sure he could talk. Others didn't know he was ours since he was so quiet. Just kind of hidden in the background. I never saw that as a real problem. I was always shy and quiet as a child too and look at me......I developed a pretty big mouth after all these years. There would be a time that would allow him to grow and prosper. I was sure he wouldn't always be so quiet....he....like all our kids were destined to do great things!
Our son was the little guy......the little guy that always imagined to do and accomplish much more than his two brothers. It was the competition in his blood that drove him to win.....even if there wasn't a race. That's just how us boys roll! His brothers challenged him at everything and never took it easy on him. As a matter of fact, they would probably more than likely bring him to the point in competition (regardless whatever it was) of allowing him to win......but then swiftly dash those hopes away with a resurgence of a comeback win. He would claim it wasn't fair being significantly younger than both. He would always get the answer, "life isn't always fair.....we are helping you learn about life." My young son wouldn't be happy with that answer but would shrug it off and move on to the next challenge that his brothers would throw at him. And he would gleefully take that challenge without hesitation.......after all.......he believed he would win one day.
His quiet nature would speak for itself. Just because he was quiet, don't you imagine that he would ever be considered weak. He developed a force that built up inside him that would conquer in his own way and time. It would start with soccer. He was too young to begin football so his older brothers ALLOWED their young brother to play. Soccer wasn't considered a real sport in their eyes....only alternative. You know you aren't supposed to keep score when you are four years old......his brothers did! After the game they would take him off to one side and share how many goals he had made and give him high fives. And yes, he was required to make more goals than anyone else on the team. Again, that's how us boys roll.
Then it was football. His oldest brother had size and skill as his advantage over his opponents. The next brother was small like him (weighed in as second smallest in the city football league at 11 years old) but conquered his foes with like determination and beat the challenges with a high knowledge of the game and rigorious practice until perfection. My young son gathered up all the experience and "life lessons" his older brothers had shared and made his own victories. He too weighed in the smallest in the city in the beginning. He was unaware of that as a handicap. He never backed down from a challenge against the biggest player. Other players hated to go against him because they knew they seldom come out on top as the victor. His process in understanding all and striving for perfection allowed him to stand out among all the other players. He no longer was unnoticed. Maybe he was quiet everywhere else but on the gridiron he was the commander and chief. He knew how to play every position and could master just about every one of them as well. He ruled the defense at middle linebacker and adjusted where he saw fit on the field. If other players were out of position, he helped them and instructed them in what they needed to know. And when it came to offense....well he knew all the plays and what to do. If I could of had 11 players just like him we would have won every game. Unfortunately you cannot hand off to yourself or block for yourself or throw to yourself. He was a giant on the field to every opponent and a kind compassionate ally to those on his team. Again, that's how us boys roll.....he just seemed to perfect it better.
Basketball was no differnt. Obviously a height oriented game that was another challenge to over come. He did the best he could and became a pretty outstanding forward. He made sure everyone else got the ball so they could score. He played for rec league teams until he was old enough to play on the home school team, junior varsity and then varsity. Once that was over, back to the rec league again. He played as long as he could play and never quit short. Again, that's how us boys roll.....and he showed it.
Baseball gave him some troubles at first, but having a small strike zone helped. If he didn't get walked he had a base hit. He tried every position and probably played every position in a game. Pitching was funny to watch, probably not his best spot. Catcher was more amusing since the gear swallowed him up. One of the aspects my son learned along the road was to listen closely to instruction and then to repeat it perfectly. You could tell him specifically how to stand in the batters box, how to hold his hands, how to keep his elbow up, how to time the pitch......and he would do it......every time. Again, that's how.......no, not really.....he would do it better.
Music, he played the piano like his brothers and sister, but that was enough. His biggest brother played the biggest instrument, a baritone sax......so my young son had to play the big drums. He could have lived inside that drum.
Just like all his siblings, he would set out to conquer the world. There wasn't going to be a challenge that he would deter from. When he asked to go to Texas at age 17 to study to be a missionary, his mother and I were worried. That is a long way and he is our baby boy. He was still so quiet. Would he be able to keep up? With class? To speak to others? About Christ? However his love and passion for the gospel proved to us that he was capable. He convinced AIM (Adventures In Missions) to let him attend even though he wasn't 18 yet. And yes, he was the youngest in his class.....not a challenge in his eyes. Their were struggles but his love and perseverance came to his side and once again he was victorious.
So when he asked if he could go with his team to New Zealand........wow, that is a long way. His mom and I were a bit more worried but New Zealand was a pretty neat place and pretty safe. Plans changed and his team would now go to Boliva.....a Spanish speaking third world country. Now mom and I were more worried. You don't know Spanish? His response was simple.....I will learn. Dyslexic would be his challenge.....but not in his eyes. He learned Spanish. Staying for only 12 months? No, going for the longest we can, 18 months. Of course you will....cause that's how you roll.
So when his older brother went off to school in Oklahoma and found him a wife from Colorado Springs, my young son couldn't be out done.......he found himself a wife from Alaska! And a beautiful wife she is. We are so proud of them both as they set out to begin their lives together where they first met in Texas. Now studying to be full time in the ministry. Who knows how far or where this will take them......but I certainly wouldn't doubt any of the goals in front of them......and I certainly won't worry any longer about any of the challenges.
You both......together......will conquer them all...........because that's how you roll!
God Bless you both as I know he will.
ET This I Believe
Eugene Thompson
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