By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)
Allow me an off week here. I love the fall season, it is my favorite. It is a time of change. For a long time it represented a new beginning for me. Growing up there was always a new school year to look forward to. After I had a daughter it was her new school year each fall. School Orientations, PTA meetings....always something new. There was something about the leaves changing, the crisp cool weather, the smell of wood burning. All of these things reminded me of new beginnings. A little backward I guess...most people look at Spring as a time of renewal. This year is the biggest change of all. My daughter has left for college and is now living away from home.
For the past eighteen years we shared every weekend together. I mean we did all kinds of stuff. Weekends were our special time. Her mom and I separated in 1998 and I had custody for the weekends. That time was special. Even in high school when we adjusted the schedule so she could have social activities we still had great weekends. Even after I remarried and got a wonderful step-daughter we still had those special weekends. There were many times that we were doing our own separate things but it was still special just being together. Now all of a sudden she is gone.
I am certainly not an empty nester but it is a totally different thing now. I know my daughter won't be back until Thanksgiving. Sure she is only about an hour away and we can easily grab a dinner or lunch but things are changing. My little girl is not little anymore. She is busy making new friends and discovering the fun of college life. We still are in touch through Facebook and Skype. In fact she spent the other night texting me the score of the football game she was attending. However I am reluctant to touch base with her too often lest she think I am nagging or monitoring her. It is her life now..all I can do is hope that her mother, her step-mother and I have prepared her to do the best.
We had our child dedication Sunday at church last weekend. I sat there looking at these new parents with their babies and remembered back on the same moment that I with my daughter. It was eighteen years ago but the promises and dreams were the same for me as it was for them on that day. They have eighteen years to mold their children and to make a difference in their lives. Seems like a lifetime but really it totally flies by. I used to think that when people said this to me it was so cliché. But it is true, the time goes by way to quickly. Make every moment count. The title of this blog is Make A Difference to One. There is no one more important than your child or children. They are your legacy and our future. My daughter is now a young women and is on her own. She is making her own decisions concerning her life and future. I pray that her foundation remains strong. I know she is His and he too is watching over her.
I leave you with this: time truly is short. Enjoy every moment! Even when you are vexed or angry at your kids take that step back and remember what a gift and blessing they are. Do your best to impart your values to them. Encourage, hug, prepare , and love on them for one day everything changes. It is not a bad change but it is a change. When that day comes, as it has for me, make sure you made a difference in their lives.
Blessings...
A Dad~
Chuck is a Christian husband and father who has served in part-time ministry for 17 years, and is a deacon at his church. He has been a Compassion International Advocate/Area Coordinator for several years, finding families to sponsor Compassion children throughout the world. His passion is letting others know how important it is to release children from poverty. Be sure to check out his blog, Sharing Compassion.