Sweet Summertime

Summer is winding down at my house and for the first time since my childhood I am sorry to see it go.  For the longest time the end of summer meant the return to my classroom and the new batch of faces and lives I was devoted to changing.  Now there is no classroom and the end of summer takes the two faces I treasure most and puts them back in school.  While I am blessed to be able to visit them in class and to spend countless hours with them at home, I know that the summers like this one will rapidly vanish into summers of chasing and catching girls, part-time jobs and less time for snuggling with mom. 

This summer was full of adventure, achievement, laughter and butterfly kisses.  We watched each other compete in the swimming pool and set new personal records.  We all jumped and kicked our way through forms and sparring and karate tournaments.  We explored the ruins of the Alamo and the heights of the Tower of the Americas.  We swam and dove and rode slides and played with friends.  And at the end of each glorious day I am granted a moment to watch them both and remember that they are the restoration of the bad choices I made and the healing redemptive work of God my Father.  I am so blessed to have them and so blessed to be the one God trusted to help them grow.  They are my heart and as school prepares to start again, I feel a bit of my heart is ripping out to join them as they walk the halls of their school, learn new things in its classroom and grow just a few steps closer to manhood.