Grandpa's Belt

Well, we announced today that Sara and I are expecting our first child. We bought Mom a Christmas Angel that said “Grandma’s Little Angel” and we bought Dad a belt buckle that said “Grandpa”. Needless to say, the common phrase was “What does my belt buckle say?” today. I don’t think that anyone was as excited as dad was about us having a baby. Soon the quiet halls of our new home will echo with the coo of baby noises and me going, “Man! She couldn’t have crapped again!” and of course, changing her diaper with all the love of a father. Sara’s going to be holding that baby and kissing her forehead all that she can, singing little songs to her as they rock in the chair. I can see Precious Moments quilt baby blankets hanging off the crib as I look down at what God has truly blessed us with. This little one is going to be loved and blessed through out their childhood. God is truly so good. The family adjusted well to the news with Amanda calling Mammaw at 7 o’clock in the morning and Dad showing his belt. We can’t wait to share the joy with those around us. Please keep Sara and I in your prayers as we embark on this journey. Though I may not know exactly what my beautiful bride is going through, I am proud to be at her side through this quest. I believe that I am honestly the most blessed man in this world. I don’t have to brag, I don’t have to boast. God knows the truth of the matter. Someday, I pray that our little one will look back and see how much we not only loved them but how much we really loved one another.

One Empty Chair

The smell of turkey filled the old house at 2300 Independence Drive on Thanksgiving afternoon. Laughter erupted out of the breakfast room as people told their stories over dinner. The television blared in the den and shouts of disgust echoed as, once again this year, Michigan lost. But at the dining room table, there was a silence. Though the people were talking, there was an emptiness that could not be explained. No one mentioned the current political events on MSNBC or how certain some ones needed to learn how to speak less and hear more. There was a quietness from the room that even I missed as I noticed no one was telling the stories of old Chickasaw and the 1940’s depression era. There was a chair that no one dared to fill. No one would sit in it nor would they even think of taking this place. I can still hear the echoes of “Fat Mammaw” across the house and the bickering of how the government needed to be changed. Even Hilary didn’t come across the lips of those in the room. I can still hear him call out to us to come into the room and tell us to find some hidden present of his out in our car or he would tell Mammaw to give us a dollar. I can still hear the disgust in his voice when Dallas lost….once again. I can still hear his voice telling me how he didn’t really understand Amazing Grace until the day he asked Jesus into his heart. There was one empty chair this year, one empty voice, one empty thought…but there was a mind full of memories. Never will we forget the voice that told us just how it was. Never will we forget the stories of the days that he fought in the war. Never will we forget the opinions of his heart or the thoughts of his mind. It was one empty chair that one day will be filled again.

I hope all of you guys had a happy thanksgiving! Truly remember the reason you are thankful for.