It’s another “first day of school” around the Morgan house this morning, and I’m reminded that time doesn’t stand still. It seems
like just a few years ago I was wondering if I even wanted kids. Children seemed like so much work, and if anyone could “screw up” at raising kids, it would be me.
I remember when the first child came. I kept feeling sick and was light-headed because I was so scared. I wasn’t sure I was ready for this, but it was happening. It was a “ready or not, here I come” moment. I’d never seen or experienced anything like childbirth. Every time one of my children was born God did a miracle in my heart. I remember what felt like an instant sense of love that came over me that I had never experienced before. The second that child appeared in this world, I would have given my life for him.
I still remember each of my children’s births. A nurse always asked, “Do you want to hold him?” I remember shaking my head “no” and thinking, “He might break.” She always gave them to me anyway. They were all the most beautiful things I’d ever seen. Then I made a HUGE mistake … I blinked … and that little baby grew up… and tomorrow we’ll be moving two of them to Lubbock to start college. Time doesn’t stand still.
Just yesterday they were all babies, today they’re young men and soon we’ll wish they’d come back and visit more often.
If you still have children at home, value each moment … because before you know it you’ll blink and they’ll be all grown up.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 23 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Trey, this touched me.
Ethan is 5 and today was his first day of kindergarten.
Wow, Michael … I remember walking mine to Kindergarten too. That’s a huge step in the family. Is he your first?
My first child had her first day of kindergarten last week.
My second child seems to be growing up much faster than I remember the first one.
The older I get, the faster time flies. I wonder what it will be like in Heaven, as we get older and older. How will time seem to us when we are thousands of years old, millions of years old? If time flies when you’re having fun, and it speeds up as you get older, it is really gonna fly there!
It is a good thing we’ll have forever there. It’s also a good thing our bodies will be transformed, so we’ll never grow old. =)
Steve … I like your thinking on heaven.
I tried not to blink, but it didn’t work. Our youngest is going into 1st grade and it is all going by very quickly. I know what you mean about being scared as a father (wonder if that’s universal). I was terrified when my wife told me she was pregnant. Anyway, I agree- being a father is incredible- so thankful.
Thanks Trey.
Jason … I bet you’re a great dad. It’s both a huge blessing and responsibility.
Sent our youngest one off to college last week… the same week our middle child moved back in. Boomerang kids.
John … Glad to hear the come back at times. I guess I should be thankful that I’m not wondering, “Will they ever leave.”
And then you have grandchildren and it just starts all over again. The loving part … but you get to let mom and dad take care of the majority of the raising while we do the spoiling. It just gets better and better!!
I’m actually excited about being a grandparent someday … I just want it to be quite a few years down the road.
My oldest starts college this year leaving a sophomore and an 8th grader at home. You are right – it was just a blink.
If your guys need anything while in Lubbock let me know – I’m 25 minutes away.
Brian … Nice to know that they’ll actually be going to school in Levelland with you. I may be calling.
For everything there is a season….
Praying for your family as the seasons change……
Thank you, Maggie Beth … Thank you much.
Although I miss Shalane and Jason terribly, I have really enjoyed watching them blossom into the young adults (26 & 23!) they are today! They have a way of making this mom really proud!
Tell Lea to hang in there and give me a call if she wants to just talk!
Tell Taylor and Parker to give Jason a call if they need anything. Jason is back in Lubbock now!! YAY!!
Sandi … I enjoyed watching your kids grow up too. I still remember Shalane going barefoot in the dirty convenient store bathroom on a ski trip and giving her a hard time about that being GROSS. I also remember Jason sharing licks of his ice cream with the camp dog. You have great kids.
My oldest got married last April, so I feel your “pain.”
However, I think we talk more now that she’s married and living in Florida than we did when she was home. Ha!
I blinked too. We all do.
I’m finding that “adult” children are a lot of fun. Thanks for the encouragement.
Walked our first born into MIDDLE SCHOOL today! I think we were all a little nauseous!
I feel your pain…Randy.
You are such a great father, Trey!! God has truly blessed you and Lea with 4 awesome boys. You guys have obviously done an awesome job
I cannot wait till the day God blesses me with a family!!
At least Lubbock is not that far
Of course, the way you have raised them….they very well may likely end up in a foreign country!
Blink twice more and the great grandchildren are graduating high school. (class of 2011)
I know what you mean. My oldest starts college this Thursday. We tried not blinking; she’s our only girl. NOW a young man is showing interest. The dress, the aisle, and the commencement into adult relationships is inevitable. I’m so thankful for eternity and the promise that it will be far better than imaginable.
I blinked and all seven of you left. This year we had two grandsons (yours) leave for college, three grands are in high school, one in middle school, three in 3rd grade, 1 in 2nd, 2 in Kindergarten and our baby is going to Pre-K. I think that’s correct.
I know having yours going off is a hard time for all of them. I just remembered something this a.m. How grateful all of you should be. There are so many young people out there wanting to leave home/parents and parents wanting them to leave. It tells me that your boys love you and Lea, and you love them and they love their home. That says so much. Love you all! Oh, and we have 9 more all grown up.
AS I was reading comments, I can’t help but imagine what would it feel like to be a father…can’t wait…maybe 4 years from now…i’ll take your advice then, no blinking