Heaven

We have never had a problem with Lauren and separation anxiety. She's been going to Donna's house since she was 10 weeks old, so it's never really been an issue. In fact, there are times when we see other parents deal with this at church or other places and we count our blessings.

Alright, to be honest, it comes up at times, but it's never been something we spend too much time dwelling on. Lauren has been well-adjusted for a long time to the routine that Mommy and Daddy both work. So Lauren goes to the sitter's house, and one of us picks her up in the afternoon.

The past couple of days have been different. I can tell she's been a little needy, wanting to spend just a couple minutes more with us before we go in different directions or to bed, or whatever. This morning however, was absolutely rich.

As I dropped her off at the sitter's house, she closed the door behind us and stood in front of it. I ask her, "what's up?" She said, "I don't want you to go yet."

I reminded her that if I don't leave right away I'll be late for work. We have this inane online time card thing at work we have to log in to that keeps perfect time, but that's for another post.

As soon as I reminded her that I would be late to work, I could see it in her eyes. She just didn't want me to leave right away. I got it. I saw her body language and praised God for reminding me, I'm a Dad first.

So I stopped trying to move her out of the way, got down on her level and said, "OK, what's up?" and this time I really meant it.

She said, "I want to talk about something."

"Sure, Lovebug (that's my nickname for her), what do you want to talk about?"

"Heaven" was her answer.

"What do you want to know about Heaven," I ask?

"What's it made of?"

Which brings me to one of my parenting styles. I will often answer her question with a question. I know for some people that's real annoying, but I want her to think for herself, not just wait for my answer to every query. So I asked her, "what do you think it's made of?"

"Wood...just like Donna's house." Which brought a chuckle from the other room as Donna was listening to our conversation.

I told her Heaven was more glorious than you could ever imagine, filled with gold and diamonds and all the things we think are precious in this world.

But as I kissed her one more time and she ran off to eat breakfast, I thought to myself, the most precious thing to me is my daughter, and my greatest hope is that she will one day put her faith in Christ so that she will be in Heaven with me. Heaven will then be made up with one of the most precious things I could ever think of.

First Hoop

OK...so...as you'll come to find...many of my stories will revolve around Lauren. I promise they won't all be about her, but 5 year olds do some of the best/funniest/strangest/awesomest things ever.

Tonight was a watershed moment for her. Standing by herself, staring at a 10 foot basketball hoop, holding onto a green soccer ball, my awesome 5 year old made her first unassisted basket. I wasn't counting how many she missed before that. I was just chasing rebounds all over the court, and it was a great time. This was my opportunity to be a cheerleader and build into my daughter's self-esteem.

It was odd that miss after miss she would let doubt creep in. How does a 5 year old even know doubt? Yet, when I said, "OK Lauren, let's go home," she wouldn't give up. She wanted to try it just one more time.

Then she made a second, and eventually a third. She makes me proud, but it's even better to see how she was proud of her accomplishments. She walked a little taller back to the car.

I've only heard of the issues facing young girls growing up in this society, and I can't even fathom the pressure she's going to be under as she gets older. I don't know how to overcome all the issues she faces, other than to love her and show her what a real man looks like.

It gives me a goal, something to strive for. To be the best dad/cheerleader/role model I can be. If I can do even half the awesomest things she does, I think we'll all be OK.

Daddy's Little Girl

I know women who say there is nothing in the world that can compare to the experience of child-birth. And I won't try to convince anyone here of anything other than that. But there are times when my daughter looks at me with those wide blue eyes and says, "Daddy - I love you!" To a guy, there's is nothing that can compare with that.

Lauren is Daddy's Little Girl, and I intend to keep it that way as long as I can.

Scraped Knees

Yesterday Lauren was playing outside in front of my parent's house. She was pretending to ride a horse while wearing a leotard, tutu and her crocs...an interesting fashion combination, but she's 5, so she's still learning her wardrobe choices.

Anyway, while pretending to ride her horse, she tripped and scraped both knees. She's been a lucky kid in that, she's got really good balance, so she's gotten this far in her life with very few minor injuries, and no real major injuries.

You would think this is the end of her life by the way she's been carrying on. She asked tonight if it would just be easier to go to Heaven now and that way she wouldn't have to deal with the pain.

So we've been dealing with a little girl who has been hobbling around the house bent over at the waist and knees with a hunchback who can't do anything for herself. Somehow scraped knees has affected her arms and shoulders. Like I said, new experiences for our little one.

The night ended with a phone call to Grandbob who reassured her this was part of becoming a big girl, God would heal her, and all was right with the world.

Which brings me to my point...I was trying to explain to my daughter that getting scraped knees is a part of growing up. I've gotten scraped knees so many times as a boy, I can't even remember them all.

I just wish as an adult I had scraped knees more often. That would be a strong indicator that I was spending enough time on my knees praying to my Father in Heaven for myself, my family, my friends and loved ones. I think we should all long for more scraped knees. We'd have less issues to deal with if we did.

Welcome

So I've been inspired to start a blog. This has come from some people who think they want to know what I think and/or what I do. I'm not quite sure why, but we'll give it a go.

I just find it odd that people would publish their random thoughts for others to peruse at the leisure. The hubris involved is magnified only by the number of readers. But that's the society and culture in which we live.

I can understand blogs from people who have a gift for writing. Even blogs from leaders who can inspire with their words. I don't think I am in either category, but hey...you've read it thus far, so there must be something there, right?

Or maybe you just would like to know what I am doing or thinking at any given moment. Or you might think you'll get to know me a little bit better if I put my rambling thoughts in semi-coherent sentences. Whatever the reason, I'm glad you're here. I'll try not to disappoint.