Somehow I knew this day would
come. The truth is, it has come
quicker than I thought it would.
18 years ago, our family began to vacation on a beautiful island on the
coast of North Carolina. Ocean
Isle Beach, became like a second home to us. It was and is a place of rest, rejuvenation, and
revival.
Our
kids were 10, 7 and 4 that first trip here. Today they are 28, 25, 22, and since then we were
wonderfully blessed with another who is 13. As the years have gone by, they have all been here many
times but in recent years, life, jobs, family, and timing didn’t always allow
us to be here together.
Through
the years Kathy and I would watch as families would come to various rental
properties and we realized that there would come a day when we too would rent a
larger place and invite our family to join us and bring their families.
In recent years we began talking
and anticipating that moment more and more. This summer begins that new season. In the words of Richard Blackaby – that’s
not a winter – but another spring – in the seasons of life!
Kathy
sent out the email to our kids weeks ago and we set the date and secured the
property. Our oldest daughter and
her family, our son, and our youngest daughter are all here with us. # 3 and her husband are missing due to
a recent move and job/school transitions.
We miss them a lot but are hopeful for next year!
Tonight,
I asked our oldest granddaughter if she would like to go to the ocean. That eighteen month old beauty seemed
interested and soon we had an entourage.
Her mommy, her uncle, and her young aunt and grandpa were headed a few
yards to the beach access and the biggest sandbox this girl has ever played in.
Emily
(our youngest) was carrying my granddaughter, and we lagged behind our oldest
two a bit. I watched as #1, and #2
child – now 28, and 25 and all grown up, walked together to the beach. It’s a moment I will cherish for the
rest of my life. I thought of how
little they see each other, but how much they love each other, and how glad
they were to be together again.
As
we approached the ocean, I watched three of my kids make their way into the
ocean and swim together and I cherished the thought that they were renewing and
strengthening their already strong relationships. My son-in-law was on a fishing trek on the other end of the
island, that I’m sure was a wonderful experience for him and for that I was
also grateful. My wife was being
grandma and cherishing time with the youngest grandbaby back at the rental
house.
And
me? I was playing in the sand with
our oldest granddaughter. I could
have stayed there forever. Life
moves quickly but God is so good.
Cherish the moments, and make new memories.
