God knows it’s no small task raising another man’s child. Or another woman’s. Getting these five up and out to college feels like something of an accomplishment, and I pray that Matt and Cathy would be satisfied.
Legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke once was asked if he was happy after a big win. He said, “As a coach you never quite get to happy. The closest you get to happy is relief. Relief that you got past that one and now you get to move on to what’s next.”
I can relate.
Today we took Sam to college. While that sentence in itself is astounding (those following Sam’s journey will understand), Sam’s move to Oakland University represents the last of five children up and out of the house. As of today our oldest is living in Colorado and the four boys are all in college.
Five kids who have endured so much. So much heartache, loss, change, growth, hope, faith, and love. Tears and triumphs, through it all they kept moving forward. Forward through faith.
For Gina and I, we check our rearview mirror and see teacher conferences, school pageants, Bible verse memorizations, vocab lists, practice schedules, sports physicals, choir concerts, parent volunteer forms, special dress day outfits, phase 2 driver’s training, foam board needed by 8am tomorrow, we’re out of lunch meat, etc. etc. etc. And looking forward we see a life together we’ve never had. Just the two of us.
Thinking of all we’ve been through there is definite relief. God knows it’s no small task raising another man’s child. Or another woman’s. Getting these five up and out to college feels like something of an accomplishment, and I pray that Matt and Cathy would be satisfied.
In the meantime, there’s a lot more room at our dinner table now. And while I’ll never feel happy about that, I am eager to see what God has planned for this group next.
