"Mores..."

As the countdown nears single digits I've been thinking alot about life beyond having our children under our roof. Since April 26, 1979 Julie and I have had children tucked in bed -- that's 30+ years of the focus of our life being children, eventually four. Today these four babies are adults and we are well-pleased with each of them! They have made many great choices (including their life partners) and our love for them continues to increase as our family size continues to increase.

Occasionally my mind drifts to earlier years as a dad -- I admit I have some regrets. Is it possible to have a "do-over"? If I were to do the dad thing all over ... So I started scribbling a list for myself as I reflected on the nearly 23 years of being Kristi's dad. I shared these with Kristi realizing that my perfectionism may be at the core of my regrets. Later this week I will write another post entitled "no regrets." :-)

So, dear Kristi, If I could go back in time I would have ...

• read you more stories, tucked you in bed more often, prayed with you more often and watched you fall asleep
  
• jumped on the trampoline with you, run through the sprinkler with you and tossed water balloons with and at you
  
• kissed you on the cheek much more often and embraced you with hugs more
  
• have listened more, talked less, asked more faith and discipleship questions after SS, VBS, church and school and given less "answers" so as to encourage you to wonder more
• danced with you - of course I would have needed you to teach me
• had you drive the Corsica longer
• kept the angora goats longer
• caught your softball pitches more often
• taught you to shoot the basketball
• given you a regular allowance
• rubbed and massaged your feet
• camped and slept under the stars in our back yard with you and your brothers
• refused to turn the TV on to watch the Tribe, Browns, sitcoms, news, etc. instead discovering you
• learned to roller-blade
• taken you golfing
• sat with you more when grandpa, Mr Grim, Janine and aunt Deb died
• biked with you more
  
• talked about faith, beliefs and practices more
  
• trusted you more
• asked you to pray at meal times
• sat with you when you did your homework

Kristi - I love you, as I say good-bye to your childhood, I do have a few regrets; yet God has provided for you, and I, in amazing ways. I think you are pretty awesome - you will always be my "little girl" ... God's grace and your kindness have overcome my regrets!