A Tribute.

This is a letter I wrote to my father today.

It was long overdue.

"June 10, 2008

Dad:

Wow, it has been way too long since I last spoke to you! I’m hoping this letter finds you well (and some time BEFORE Father’s day). Either way, I will be calling to catch up.

The one aspect of adulthood that has surprised me the most is how easy it is to get busy. This is likely the main contributor to the sense that time goes by so fast. Ethan is eight and a half, Isaac is six this month and both Laura and I are now facing our MID-thirties. I clearly remember you and Mom at this age. That amazes me.

My boys are now at an age where I remember becoming aware of the world. What an awesome responsibility as a father. Only now am I beginning to realize the burden you bore.

Summer has started and the boys are as busy as bees. We sold our house a little over a week ago and you may recognize our new address…it’s the same one we had four years ago. I am buying an acre of land from my in-laws and will be building a small house for the family. We are hoping to be finished by November, but the trades get bogged down in the summer time and we may run into January. The boys will be helping at every opportunity…and I have already been asked to build in a “secret passage”. Boys are fun.

Ethan has completed the second grade and done well. Laura will be home-schooling both boys next fall when Isaac officially starts kindergarten. He has started reading and is good at math. I’m hoping both continue to find learning fun.

Ethan is doing well in piano and Isaac starts taking lessons next week. I have told both of them that God put music in everyone’s heart, so it is important not to waste such a gift. The rule is: you can learn any instrument you choose, but you must learn two years of piano first. Ethan wants to learn piano and guitar. Isaac has his heart set on the drums. It fits him. (Uncle Jeff is Cool!)

We have also allowed the boys some “self-expression” in their appearances over the summer. Ethan is growing his hair out like a Beatle (he is a fan), and Isaac has an honest-to-goodness Mohawk. Again, it fits him.

The boys like the Newsboys, Leland, Switchfoot, & Toby Mac. We just took them to see Toby Mac last night, they loved it.

Laura maintains a blog where she posts pictures, video, & stories about all our goings-on. She stays so busy it’s a wonder to me how she keeps her sanity. My job remains much the same. It pays the bills and keeps me away too long but I don’t feel led to leave it.

Last September I finished the construction of a new performance center…Phil Keaggy came and played a great show. I took Laura and she left as a fan. I could not get backstage to get an Autograph, but I was able to use my “connections” to get Phil to sign a CD for you. Unfortunately, he thought he was doing my friend a favor and signed it for “Harold’s buddy Gene”. Once you know the story…it makes more sense. I tried to be cool.

It’s hard to catch you up in a letter I hope to speak to you soon…Feel free to call anytime.

When I stp and reflect on where God has me today, I realize I have not been a very honorable son to you. I want you to know that I regret that and wish to change it. I must officially acknowledge all the sacrifices you made in order to raise me and then let me go on to the path God laid out for me. You should know I am still on it, and with God’s grace – I choose to remain His servant.

Like I am sure you did, I now struggle DAILY with letting go of MY dreams in order to train and equip two young men that must be SHOWN how to love and serve God. I know I don’t have much time with them before they may have sons of their own.

So, while a letter can never capture it, I want to tell you I love you, Dad. Thank you for telling me about God! Thank you for demonstrating how to work hard and how to have fun. I use those lessons you taught EVERY DAY with my boys…and they are blessed more abundantly because of YOU.

On May 5th, I baptized Ethan into the faith. Isaac knows and professes that Jesus is the Son of God. I can not take the credit for that.

They are as much YOUR legacy as they are mine.

God bless you, Father.
~S"