Dear sons,
Your mother is pregnant now with our third child, so I have been watching you a lot this week, because she is tired and sick. My patience is thin, and I have not been the father you deserved, but I love you and wanted to relay several things that caught my eye as I spent time with you the last few days.
This morning, Charlie, you came into Oliver’s room wearing my glasses to be funny. Mom reprimanded you, but I love your sense of humor. I hope and pray we do not miss your jokes or so poorly respond to you in the future.
Oliver has been hitting Charlie, repeating as small children do the things they have observed or experienced. It makes me sad, but then I realize there is no malice yet. You simply think that’s how we interact, young Oliver. I pray we teach you better ways.
After church today we had to drive around a bit. Mom wasn’t in the car and we needed to keep Oliver awake. The joint effort between all three of us—shouting and shaking Oliver’s car seat, as he grinningly tries to keep his eyes open—made my heart full and teased my soul with joy for things to come.
As we were packing the car at one point, Charlie, you tried to follow me into the parking lot and I commanded you to stay at the sidewalk. After a conflict, you did, but the anguish on your face and the way you stomped and cried, the battle between desire for me and the attempt to obey, split my heart in two. Later, you and Oliver shared a bag of fruit snacks with each other, and I have never been so proud.
I pray I can raise you in a way worthy of the men our God has made you two to be. You boys have passion, and grace, and divine wisdom many others lack. I am proud to bursting of you two.
All my love,
Dad
October 29, 2017
This morning, Charlie, you came into Oliver’s room wearing my glasses to be funny. Mom reprimanded you, but I love your sense of humor. I hope and pray we do not miss your jokes or so poorly respond to you in the future.
Oliver has been hitting Charlie, repeating as small children do the things they have observed or experienced. It makes me sad, but then I realize there is no malice yet. You simply think that’s how we interact, young Oliver. I pray we teach you better ways.
After church today we had to drive around a bit. Mom wasn’t in the car and we needed to keep Oliver awake. The joint effort between all three of us—shouting and shaking Oliver’s car seat, as he grinningly tries to keep his eyes open—made my heart full and teased my soul with joy for things to come.
As we were packing the car at one point, Charlie, you tried to follow me into the parking lot and I commanded you to stay at the sidewalk. After a conflict, you did, but the anguish on your face and the way you stomped and cried, the battle between desire for me and the attempt to obey, split my heart in two. Later, you and Oliver shared a bag of fruit snacks with each other, and I have never been so proud.
I pray I can raise you in a way worthy of the men our God has made you two to be. You boys have passion, and grace, and divine wisdom many others lack. I am proud to bursting of you two.
All my love,
Dad
October 29, 2017
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