12 Years

It’s amazing what can happen in an instant.

It’s also amazing what can happen over a dozen years.

In my family, it was a dozen years ago that our lives changed with the unexpected death of my Mom at Thanksgiving in 2001.  Suddenly I became the eldest.

But that’s not the focus of what I wanted to share with you right now.

12 years as adult can go pretty fast.

As a kid, it seems to move much more slowly.

Imagine the changes that will occur in the 6 year old first graders over the next 12 years as they become high school seniors.

My wife and I have been members at our church for almost that long and as I look at the kids who are now in their teens and remember when they were just toddlers, I am amazed.

My own kids.  It was 12 years ago when my oldest was a senior in high school and she turned 30 a couple of months ago.  Married with a lovely daughter and great husband.

My son will be 30 next year and he and his wife along with my younger daughter and her family of 4 are going to be joining us around the Thanksgiving table this week.

As I look at my kids, my step-kids, and all the family offspring I am amazed at all the changes that have occurred in our lives over the past 12 years.

There have been some friend and family tragedies too as death has touched their lives earlier than expected.  We’ve also seen the breakup of families and we continue to hope and pray for those involved.

12 years of single instants.

As you gather this holiday, remember those gone, embrace those that are here, and pray for those unseen.

Here’s to the next dozen years.