A small lump in my throat

Tonight after dinner and dishes, Sylvia and I read through the first draft of our prepared comments to Aubrey and Clinton on their wedding day. "Don't make it too long, and don't embarrass us," were the instructions. Sylvia and I would have two minutes to share! What can you tell a 27 year old daughter and her husband to be in just two short minutes.

The reading started - "Aubrey.." - and, a lump began to form in my throat.

Twenty-seven years of preparation as a parent hadn't prepared me for what I was about to read.

"Clinton...Caitlin, Sylvia and I welcome you into our family as a son," nearly choaked me up. For the first time in our family's short life, I was going to have a son, and I was trusting him to provide and care for my daughter. Yes, that's what I was saying.

As we closed with a Native American blessing on their lives, I realized that a soft voice was assuring me that I had slowly prepared for this moment for a long time. We had prayed for this moment to arrive...and now I must let go and allow this young woman to swept into the arms of another man. I also needed to trust God's faithfulness that he has demonstrated so often in our past.

Let me count the ways:
* providing a lifetime partner who shares my faith and love
* on the way to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington where Aubrey took her first breath
* coming home from Spokane to live in Harrisonburg - a job that would provide for our children
* on the way...
...to school
...to church activities
...to friends homes
...to sports activities
...to music rehearsals and concerts
...to graduation from high school, college
...to Bolivia with MCC
...back to Harrisonburg for Aubrey's first job
...toward a healthy view of life, love and a deep faith
...to the wedding

God has been so faithful through all of Aubrey's life as she has been entrusted to us, by God, to care for and share with others.

The lump in my throat was a reminder that God's faithfulness is a time to celebrate; to celebrate the joys of watching a young child grow in to a mature young woman who embraces the possibility of sharing her life with a partner for the rest of her time.

The lump in my throat can't be swallowed, it can only be celebrated.