Before you know it...

Tyler then...

(yes that's his hair!)

The last I blogged, I was getting ready for our son’s graduation from high school. The next day I left for two days to speak at a conference. Got home just in time for Father’s Day and then Monday was my birthday. What a whirlwind!

I had the awesome privilege of watching our oldest son Tyler graduate from high school last Thursday. Such mixed emotions of joy, immense pride, and even some sadness. It’s true what they say…”they grow up so fast”. In fact our youngest son Micah spent a good part of the ceremony sobbing at the thought of his big brother and hero leaving. It was heartbreaking.

I was reminded of the moment right after Tyler was born and I held him in my arms for the first time. All I could remember thinking was… “I have a son. This is my boy!” I remember crying when the nurses put clothes on him for the first time thinking, “this is it…there’s no more turning back…welcome to the world little man”. There was this overwhelming sense of launching him out into life; aware of all the joys and heartache, triumph and setbacks, beauty and mess that would lie ahead. I had that exact same feeling as he accepted his diploma last Thursday night. And fighting back tears again, I was consumed by the thought… “That’s my son. This is my boy!” So if you don’t mind, I’d like to address the rest of this blog to him.

Ty: All day I had this slide show going on in my mind. Moments…snapshots… of this gift called Tyler. Moments like the time mom and I came home after seeing the movie “My Life” and I sat by your bed while you were sleeping, listening to you breathing. I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest at the thought that God entrusted you to us.

I remember the time when I walked into your preschool class only to catch you doing an Elvis impersonation, and thinking “uh-oh, I think we are in for an interesting journey.”

I also remember that long night when we were in the Amazon, and Mom and I took turns staying up all night, frantically waving towels and t-shirts over you and Amber, attempting to protect you from the ravenous mosquitoes that seemed hell-bent on draining every last drop of blood from your little bodies.

Or what about the time you and I put our motorcycle helmets on so we could still cook out on the barbeque grill during the hail storm in Texas? The sound of the hail on our helmets was deafening. Or was that our laughter?

I’ll never forget when you came with me to Africa and the look on your face when we landed on the runway. With a tired smile you looked at me and said “I’m here…I’m finally here”. A dream you had since you were five now coming true.

I remember our “guy week” in Texas watching Braveheart and Gladiator, and talking about courage, passion and loyalty, etc.

I remember thinking you were crazy when you took the wheels off your skateboard so you could try “rockboarding” down the cliffs at East Rock. I’ll never forget seeing you walk in the door later that day with scrapes, bruises and blood everywhere, and that huge smile on your face and you exclaiming, “That was AWESOME”!

What about eating Cracker Jacks at Yankee stadium? Or front row seats (wait…we never sat) to see U2 at Madison Square Garden?

I could go on and on. I remember during some of these moments, thinking to myself, “Don’t forget this. Remember this moment.” Well I haven’t forgotten Ty. They are like the “special rocks” I carry with me in my pocket.

So in launching you out this time, I’ll leave you with the words you’ve heard me say a million times. Dream big. Take risks. Love God and love people. Change the world…just like you did mine when you entered into it a little over 18 years ago. I love you Ty.


-Dad

Tyler now.

Ty's Graduation foot attire. I wonder which are his?!!


“This is it…there’s no more turning back…welcome to the world little man”.