An amazing story, another of which I was completely unaware, something you've become quite an expert at doing, Jason. I love the out-of-the-box thinking to make this happen for all involved. I live on the road less traveled, personally, and this is that in a very heart-warming way. Beautiful story.
On a side note, I used to tell my daughters that if we needed rain, all I had to do was wash the car (by hand myself by the way), and the rain would come. It usually did and still does!
This story is much deeper and complex than it seems at first glance, Jason. For one thing, it goes to the very heart of the difference between fathers’ and mothers’ relationships with their children. My husband thinks I’m a worry wart because I often voice concerns about our grown children. I chide myself for doing it, but lately I’ve come to realize that bringing those concerns into our conversation is also lifting them up to God. Mothers don’t carry their children for just nine months. That’s just the beginning of the burden, which becomes one of joy mixed with sorrow.
I believe this speaks to the fundamental roles God instilled in each of us. Mothers often have a deep, instinctive bond with their children, nurturing them with unwavering care and constantly worrying because their natural instinct is to protect. Fathers, on the other hand, tend to see their role as shaping their children into responsible, independent adults who can navigate the world on their own.
If I had to guess, you probably still find yourself worrying about all the individual hopes and dreams you have for your children, while your husband sees them as grown and believes they need to figure things out for themselves.
Of course, I’m speaking in general terms—there are always exceptions. But I’ve seen this pattern in so many families, including my own.
My daughter will be leaving for college in the fall. My wife has been worrying about what doctor she'll go see if she needs to or if she'll eat correctly. I've been worrying about whether I've given her a solid Christian foundation and if she'll know what to do if her car breaks down.
This is such a good look at how things change but also how ingenious we Americans can be! I was born in NY (Long Island, not Manhatten) and in the 60s my parents were able to safely send me by train to visit my aunt and grandparents. Hard to believe today!
My grown sons, now 36 and 40, learned a lot about making professional changes after observing my wife and I, and have taken a distinct interest in why we made the choices we did when we were their ages!
I think that's exactly how it should work. Once they get past the age where they think they know everything and realize that they have a source of knowledge and wisdom right in front of them I think the smart ones do begin asking those questions. I know I did the same with my parents. I still went to my dad for advice until the time he passed away in 2018.
A wonderful story. I was curious as to how much the parcel post fee was and according to the internet it was .32. Not sure if this is accurate, but I found it in more than 1 place. I love the suggestion of keeping a prayer journal for the people entrust to us. Thank you for a wonderful read.
That's actually a great question. I found multiple instances of both the $0.32 figure and the $0.53 figure. Wikipedia lists $0.32 but I found another website that argued convincingly the $0.53 number was correct. I wrote it with the $0.53 number because I was thinking I didn't want to make it sound even more fantastic with a lower number. However, I had decided while editing to change it so that I just gave both figures. Unfortunately, I failed to make the change when I thought of it and then forgot to go back and change it later.
I think I'll change it so that anyone who reads it on the web or the app in the future we'll have the correction and put a note in tomorrow's issue. It's not a huge deal, I guess, but I hate being inaccurate. I never did find anything definitive though.
I don't care how old your kids are--you're always thinking of them and praying for them! ❤️
I know this is true!
An amazing story, another of which I was completely unaware, something you've become quite an expert at doing, Jason. I love the out-of-the-box thinking to make this happen for all involved. I live on the road less traveled, personally, and this is that in a very heart-warming way. Beautiful story.
On a side note, I used to tell my daughters that if we needed rain, all I had to do was wash the car (by hand myself by the way), and the rain would come. It usually did and still does!
I said the same thing to my daughter yesterday and she asked me why I didn't wash my car more last summer when we needed rain badly. I had no excuse.
LOL!
This story is much deeper and complex than it seems at first glance, Jason. For one thing, it goes to the very heart of the difference between fathers’ and mothers’ relationships with their children. My husband thinks I’m a worry wart because I often voice concerns about our grown children. I chide myself for doing it, but lately I’ve come to realize that bringing those concerns into our conversation is also lifting them up to God. Mothers don’t carry their children for just nine months. That’s just the beginning of the burden, which becomes one of joy mixed with sorrow.
I believe this speaks to the fundamental roles God instilled in each of us. Mothers often have a deep, instinctive bond with their children, nurturing them with unwavering care and constantly worrying because their natural instinct is to protect. Fathers, on the other hand, tend to see their role as shaping their children into responsible, independent adults who can navigate the world on their own.
If I had to guess, you probably still find yourself worrying about all the individual hopes and dreams you have for your children, while your husband sees them as grown and believes they need to figure things out for themselves.
Of course, I’m speaking in general terms—there are always exceptions. But I’ve seen this pattern in so many families, including my own.
My daughter will be leaving for college in the fall. My wife has been worrying about what doctor she'll go see if she needs to or if she'll eat correctly. I've been worrying about whether I've given her a solid Christian foundation and if she'll know what to do if her car breaks down.
Thank you -- I did not notice the .53 on my first read. Either way it was a substantial differnce at the time.
Well said, and you are absolutely correct.
This is such a good look at how things change but also how ingenious we Americans can be! I was born in NY (Long Island, not Manhatten) and in the 60s my parents were able to safely send me by train to visit my aunt and grandparents. Hard to believe today!
My grown sons, now 36 and 40, learned a lot about making professional changes after observing my wife and I, and have taken a distinct interest in why we made the choices we did when we were their ages!
I think that's exactly how it should work. Once they get past the age where they think they know everything and realize that they have a source of knowledge and wisdom right in front of them I think the smart ones do begin asking those questions. I know I did the same with my parents. I still went to my dad for advice until the time he passed away in 2018.
A wonderful story. I was curious as to how much the parcel post fee was and according to the internet it was .32. Not sure if this is accurate, but I found it in more than 1 place. I love the suggestion of keeping a prayer journal for the people entrust to us. Thank you for a wonderful read.
That's actually a great question. I found multiple instances of both the $0.32 figure and the $0.53 figure. Wikipedia lists $0.32 but I found another website that argued convincingly the $0.53 number was correct. I wrote it with the $0.53 number because I was thinking I didn't want to make it sound even more fantastic with a lower number. However, I had decided while editing to change it so that I just gave both figures. Unfortunately, I failed to make the change when I thought of it and then forgot to go back and change it later.
I think I'll change it so that anyone who reads it on the web or the app in the future we'll have the correction and put a note in tomorrow's issue. It's not a huge deal, I guess, but I hate being inaccurate. I never did find anything definitive though.
Glad I am not alone in the car washing resistance!
I mean, it just gets dirty again! Right?
Another great post... especially the carwash story!
Thank you, Jim. Let me know if y'all need some rain. I'll drive up and run the car through the car wash.