Thursday, August 18, 2005

Upside Down

About 19 years ago my memories with Kaley began "upside down." Kaley is the daughter of our good friends, next door neighbors, and brother and sister in Christ - Monty and Sally. 19 years ago Barbara and I were living in a 12 X 50 security trailer for our local church. Kaley was just a couple of month old when we invited Monty and Sally over for their first dinner at our trailer with their new baby. At one point during the evening, I was lying on the floor playing with Kaley. I was holding her upside down over my mouth at one point. Sally started to warn me about that particular position not being the best since she had just breast fed Kaley. It was too late. As I was laughing and carrying on with my mouth wide open, Kaley spit up and the full contents went into my opened big mouth before I could close it. Kaley has always held a special place in my heart but not necessarily in my stomach.

Tonight, 19 years later, I feel like my world is "upside down" again. Kaley is leaving for college tomorrow. Kaley isn't my daughter and I have that sick feeling in my stomach. Where did the time go? Greg, you have my admiration in the way you've handled seeing your little girl head off to college.


The Lord knew that I needed some soothing. When I came home from Monty’s, I found Steven playing his guitar. He had figured out by ear (you’d be proud of him Greg) how to play the Zoe song from Psalm 3:3, "Thou O Lord art a shield about me."
I will say good-bye to my son in 2 years if he goes away to college. How did you parents out there get through it?

Comments:
As the father of a 4-year-old I'm glad...like Randy...that I don't have to face this one for many years. On the other hand, as an AP Calc teacher I get very close to some awesome seniors every year and I feel like I'm sending my kids to college every fall. Yeah, yeah, it's nowhere near the same but you know how much some of those kids feel like your own after awhile.

Oh, and, having read your last entry too I just have to tell you that I've had lots of those "does this count for a grade" moments as well. Gotta love 'em.
 
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