Why I am Thankful For The Singer

On Friday night after work I went to the Fish Head Cantina in Halethorpe MD and watched the musicians play in the Pavilion at the back of the restaurant. One of the bands was a group called Archangel, a rock band of talented teens. They were invited to perform after they posted an audio of their music on the web. The vocalist is my daughter.

I watched her come on the stage and wait behind the microphone while the guitarist were tuning and setting things up. She looked at the crowd of maybe 200 people and smiled. She looked beautiful and as a father I was proud of her.

I was afraid she would have an attack of stage fright and leave the stage, or forget the words, or sing flat; but she was confident and sang without a sign of nerves. She was good and the audience appreciated her and enjoyed her singing. She had a sweet stage presence with an innocence that was mixed with an edge of passion for social justice. I thought she was endearing. It was a great performance and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed myself.

     * I am thankful that God had blessed us with a talented daughter.
     * I am thankful that I was able to see her perform.
     * I was thankful that she is experiencing success in things like singing.
     * I am thankful that she is enjoying her youth.
     * I am thankful for the support of the other musicians in the band and that they are a good bunch of kids.

I pray that she is aware of the blessings these things are.

Thankful for My Son's Generosity

It has been my my practice to take a chapter of Proverbs from the Bible and to pray it through for my kids. I would read each verse and pray the topic of that verse for them and nowadays for friends too. The exciting thing about this approach is that in Proverbs every concern in life is dealt with, so I am able to consistently pray about their attitude to work, friends, folly, alcohol and many other things.

Recently while visiting my son who is away in college I observed his reaction to the homeless where he lives. I was surprised and full of admiration at the respect, kindness, and generosity he showed each that came to us asking for money. Every time he had a kind word, a gentle manner and a dollar or more.

A verse I often pray for him is "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will he pay him again." Proverbs 19:17.  I feel that God has answered the prayers I have offered up for my son that he would be a kind and generous person.

It is ironic that I am his parent and I am supposed to set the example for my son but his example put me to shame, since I talk Christian virtues but he showed me what it is to live them.

I am thankful that God has blessed my son with character and with values that reflects a Christ likeness in his heart.

I am grateful to have seen the results of prayers prayed for him, and I feel more resolved to pray diligently for him.

Why I Am Thankful For An Indian Restaurant.

Today I had a morning off, and since my son was home from university, I wanted to spend a little time with him before I went to my evening job. I always feel that I do not get to spend much time with my kids. It is easy to say I'll get to it later, but if you keep waiting, later never comes, and the time is lost.

I was working at my desk, and he asked if he could borrow the car. I thought that he would be gone all day, and the hoped-for time together would be lost. He wanted to go to a hobby shop to get something of interest.

"OK." I said, I just need to get to work tonight at five."

"I'll just go now," he said, and I gave him the car key feeling sad at another missed opportunity to be together.

A minute later, I got an idea.

"Hey..." I called down, "The Taste of India restaurant is next to the store, why don't we go together and then we could have lunch at the restaurant."

"Sure," he said, "I haven't eaten, yet I could go for some lunch. Let's all go." and he went to get the other boys.

I have never been to that particular restaurant, but I know he likes vegan food, and I am open to eating anything that doesn't move too much on the plate.

The hobby shop was a quick stop. We went inside the restaurant and had a delicious meal together and talked about a lot of things. The Indian food was delicious and was an all-you-can-eat buffet which my boys kept visiting. It was just the time together I was hoping for.

I believe that God put the idea in my head to suggest the restaurant; I think he had it planned all along.

I am grateful that he is still open to spending time, and I am thankful to have had a "guy" meal with my boys.

(c) Adron 12/17/13

Why Thankful For Time With My Son

Our world is so busy nowadays and it becomes hard to spend any time with the special people in our lives let alone any quality time. So when I had an opportunity to spend an hour with my son it is pure joy.

I drove him to his university for a meeting he had with his adviser and afterward, we went to lunch together. We sat at the table and had some small talk, we are not especially chatty people and don't say a whole lot. I hope the things we do say are the right things and significant. Sometimes there are clues in between the lines, so I was able to get a little insight into his world, which helps me to understand and appreciate him.

I hope he felt my affection of him and admiration for him.

I am grateful for the time we were able to have together. I pray there will be more. 

(c) Adron 11/12/13

Thankful for My Daughter's Accomplishments.

My Daughter is a hard worker and when she has a task she will not give up until it is complete to her satisfaction. She brings the attitude of hard work to her music and it has caused her to become a talented musician who plays the clarinet in the school orchestra, the saxophone in the jazz band and the drums in the marching band. She is in a chamber ensemble that plays at weddings and a professional marching band that plays at sporting events. All the while attending school and keeping her grades up.

Tonight I was privileged to witness the ceremony where my daughter was inducted into the MMM Honors Society. MMM stands for Modern Music Masters. It is a High School society of the most talented and dedicated musicians who are outstanding in their art.

I sat there with the program in my hand watching as the names were announced so the inductees would go on stage to receive their certificate of membership and I almost gave a yell when her name was read. She walked up on stage like it was home and accepted the certificate with confidence.

Later she downplays it and said, "O getting into the honors society was easy," but she admits to being glad to be admitted.

The high school music department will be arranging some venues for the honorees to perform over the next year and other opportunities to use the gift of music in the community.

It goes without saying I am very proud of her.

Thankful for The Kindness of a Stranger

I daily have blessings but don't find time to share them. Once in a while one is so overwhelming that I must share it.

My daughter is a talented musician and plays in several bands in and out of school. She even auditioned to be in a local professional marching band and of course she got in. We are glad to see her enjoy her talent and share her gift.

The band was to play at the stadium before the preseason football game. We scraped together some cash and got two tickets for the game so we could see our daughter marching and playing music on the field. These stadiums are huge and hold tens of thousands of people. Our seats were high up less than half way- not bad but they did not afford the best view.

When my daughter's marching band came out my wife left her seat and rushed down over the steps through the crowd to the railing where she hoped to take some photos of the performance. "She went to take pictures of our daughter." I boasted to the people sitting next to me. "Oh?" They replied. "My daughter is in the marching band. I think she is way over there." Way over there was a long way off; the performers were small and hard to tell apart in their uniforms. I leaned forward straining my eyes when I felt a tap on my arm. The woman sitting next to me offered her binoculars which they brought to watch the game.

Looking through the binoculars I clearly saw my little girl over a hundred yards away standing in formation and doing her part. I saw her excitement, her occasional misstep and her pride. With pride and joy I watched her every moment and followed her as she marched. I would not have been able to confidently pick her out among the others were it not for the binoculars proffered by the woman sitting next to me.

I wished they could have stayed on the field longer but the pregame show ended and I gave the binoculars back. "Thank you, Thank you for your kindness, I could see her clearly, Thank you."

We want to live our lives as blessings to others but sometimes we are privileged to receive a blessing. I am grateful for the kindness of these strangers. May the Lord bless them in return.

Thankful For My Daughter

Last week I was helping with a kid's drama camp at church and I took time off from work to help build and paint a stage set for the performers in the musical. My teenaged daughter was my assistant for the week.  Halfway through the week I had to go back to work, so I told the camp directors that my daughter would take my place.

That night she didn't sleep well because taking things seriously she kept thinking about all the things that needed to be done for the stage and the props.

The next day I went to work and she went to drama camp at church. She worked about ten hours. She worked with the youth that she had to supervise, some were her own age others were older or younger, but she was in control. Then she stayed late painting and attending to the many details of set design and prop manufacture.

The last day she saw the project to successful completion, and stayed available for the directors who keep coming up with more props and designs for the stage. They even had her set up a gallery to display the 60 crafts that the kids made during the week.

She did great. All the reports I got from the adults was that she did a fantastic job with the set crew, and that she was a dependable "go to person" who got things done for the directors.

I was thankful to see my daughter accomplish so much; she showed leadership, determination, tact, creativity and many other qualities for which I am proud.

Why I Am Thankful For My Son At Work

I have a second part time job delivering a local neighborhood newspaper. It takes several days to do the route. It is more complicated since the papers need to be hung on the doors in clear plastic bags. My son helps me get it out sometimes when things get a little rough; he can do this since he is home from college now.

I have had other helpers but for many reasons this one is the best. Last night we were out delivering the paper and it started to rain, and it rained hard with heavy splashy drops that got you very wet very fast. We put up with it for a few minutes but were quickly soaked.

"Wait here and I'll get the van and we will go home for tonight." I shouted over the roar of water all around us.

I left him sheltered under a tree and ran through the deluge to the van, becoming more soaked. When I drove back to the tree where he was I didn't see him. "I must be at the wrong place." I thought, and drove to a second place that looked like it. He wasn't there either so I began to drive all over the little neighborhood looking for him. I began to notice the papers were hanging on the doors in houses, so I was sure he must have been on a street over and drove to the other street to look for him.

After about a half hour of slowly driving around the neighborhood I saw the shadow shape of him through the down-poor standing under a tree and stopped.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find you, Where were you?"

"Just thought I would keep on going," he said. His hair dripped rivulets and his clothes clung to his skin he was wet all the way through.

"Wow." I thought in disbelief, "What a hard worker." Anybody else would have just quit. I was very proud of him.

I am thankful that my son has such character and willingness to work.

Why I Am Thankful For A Date With My Wife.

Saturday night after I got home from work my wife and I had a little dinner and then went out for a cup of coffee at a little cafe where some musicians play on the weekends.

We have been married for over twenty five years, so there is not a lot of adventure like when you go on a first date, but I still want to have these times together.  It is hard to find time because we are both busy with jobs and the kids and church, so it is special to have moments together.

We enjoyed the musicians and they sang some old favorites. The coffee was a flavor I do not remember tasting before. The table was in a good place, and there was no noisy people which there can be in a coffee bar on a Saturday night. It was a nice evening and we had a good time.

The best part of the night was to be with my wife. After all these years to be together still is something I am very thankful for. It is not always easy being married but it is always a blessing. When we can go out it is a time of renewing. There are always things to discover about each other. Time changes our perspective with maturity.

I am thankful for all the many blessings she is to me and I hope I am a blessing to her.

You never regret making time for people.

Thankful for Our Twenty Fifth Anniversary

It has always been my belief that love is a matter of giving sacrificially. It is a kind of giving that asks nothing in return and sets the interest of the other ahead of your own. Having tried to keep to that ideal I have found that I have received more blessings that I have given.

The morning I write this is the morning of our twenty fifth wedding anniversary. It is a joy to me that I have been married to a wonderful woman for so many years.

• She has cared for me like no one else ever would. 
• She has always made me a better person.
• She has taught me how to grow up, without ever saying, "Why don't you just grow up!"
• She puts up with a lot, (us moody poets and artists are very difficult people to live with).
• The best times of my life have been with her.
• No one could ever take her place.
• If I had the chance I would marry her all over again.

I could write out a very, very, very long list of the many ways she has been a blessing to me and the joy of my life but no one would have the time to read it.

I am thankful that God brought her to me. I couldn't imagine life without her. I dare not imagine what a mess I would be without her. I thank God for her every day.

Why I Am Thankful For The Little Minutes.

I was driving my daughter to school one morning this week and realized it is one of those few times we get to spend together. It is only about a ten minute ride but it is just the two of us. I get to do this every day during the school year.

Sometimes we talk and some times we just listen to the radio, and sometimes we are both still too sleepy to say much. The nice thing is that it is just the two of us. A few moments when we can be together and get to know each other better.

We are a family of six busy people, and with jobs, school, chores, and personal pursuits we don't get to spend much time together. I get so busy I forget to take time for each person.

I am thankful, that for the time being at least, I get to spend time with my daughter. Each time I do I discover what a wonderful young lady the Lord has put into our family.

Why I am Thankful That There Was Nothing To Worry About.

I am a parent, which means I worry. My kids are in their late teens and early twenties and they are mostly grown up. They can just about fend for themselves and get along in the world. Yet every time one goes out my door I wonder if they are going to be all right. I wonder if they will become victims of crime or get into an accident, or somehow lose their way in this complicated world.

I PRAY.
Every sensible parent should pray, and I do. I pray for each of my kids. I have no control over the events of the world and the things people do, but God does. No matter how much I love my kids God loves them more.

TODAY
My son had two job interviews today, and that is an answer to prayer. At first we thought one of us would drive him to the interviews him since he is new to driving. However we had to work at our jobs so we gave him the car. I imagined all kinds of dire scenarios, where he would get lost, or miss the interview or the worst case- a car wreck. During the morning I said several prayers for his protection.

WHEN I CAME HOME
I came home and I confess I walked over to the car he drove and looked for any new dents. In the house my son was wearing his good clothes which he put on for the interview and was watching TV- alive and well.

He reported that his only problem was he got a little lost but made it to the interviews.

THANKFUL
I am thankful that my son navigated the road, the map, and traffic safely. I am thankful that God watches over him when I can't. I am thankful that God has given me prayer and he answers prayer.

Thankful For Daughter's Track Meet

My high school aged daughter is very involved with a lot of school activities including track.  This morning before going to school she advised us that there was a track meet after school, and that even though she was not scheduled to compete she was going to attend to help and cheer her team mates on. It was news to us.

After work I drove to the school and sat in the freezing wind to watch the meet. It was fun to watch young people race around the track against each other.

It was with difficulty that I found my daughter in the mass of youth in their various clumps, and groups and the individuals who were straying across the field doing various task in support of the meet. I finally saw her carry three apparently heavy pole vaults from the far end of the filed to the storage shed. They must have been heavy and difficult to wield for she stopped frequently to rest and renew her clutch of the long poles.
Later she drug dozens of hurdles out to position for the runners. In between races she raised many to new heights for the different classes of racers. Later she relocated many of the hurdles for yet another race. After the meet I watched her trudge back and forth across the field to return the hurdles to the shed. It took a long time. I couldn't help but think what a hard worker she is, and how dedicated to the school track team.

I was thankful for the opportunity to see her in action and to observe her developing character. It must be a gift of God because I do not ever remember teaching her to be a hard worker or to be a person of such dedication.

Thankful to pick up my son from the airport.

Today I went to pick my son up from the airport. These kinds of places really get me confused and I feel like I wander around trying to figure things out.

The parking garage was easy enough. My other two sons were with me and that was good because in the narrow confines of the parking garage I had a hard time seeing what space was free and which one was not. But Joey saw one and we pulled in.

The garage is across the boulevard from the terminal. So we had to take an elevator to the enclosed walk across. I was enjoying being with the boys. We stopped to discuss a strange glass and iron sculpture.

The monitors revealed that hundreds of flights were scheduled to arrive or depart. I looked for a long time and found that the one that my eldest was on had already landed. The gate was a long walk from where we choose to park, so we began a quarter mile walk to the gate while I tried to figure out how to use my cell phone to call and let him know we were there.

It only took a short time and finally I got a message sent. We waited and finally were able to call on the cell and talk to him and found out that he was outside waiting. I was relieved that we were not wandering all over the airport looking for him and he was not anxious that we were there.

I turned around and he was there. After a hug and reorganizing ourselves we began a long and merry walk back to the garage. The walk was full of catching up news.

I was very thankful that the event was uneventful. There could have been many little mix ups with time and places that could have caused trouble.
I was thankful that my son is able to come back for spring break from his college.
I am thankful to see all my boys together for a while.
I am thankful that it was a good day.

Thankful for my mother in law

Many people have mother in laws that are the types you tell jokes about but not me. My Mother in law is an amazing woman.

I spent part of my afternoon at the local clinic where my Mother in law had a minor out-patient surgery. It is never a comfortable thing to think about having any kind of operation. It is fearful and there is always the worry of unforeseen complications.

I am glad that I was able to be there for my father in law and mother in law to be what little moral support I can. I felt it was helpful to engage my Father in Law with small talk to keep his mind off of the procedure she was going through.

My wife's parents have been such a great blessing to me. I have often been impressed with Dad's wisdom and general knowledge.

Her procedure was successful and so far no complications have arisen.

Family is a gift from God. Too often I have taken it for granted. I am thankful for the blessing they are to me.

Thankful For My Son's Success

For months my son has had problems getting his driver's license. It is a big deal since he is in college and he needs it for ID purposes. It is even more of a big thing since it is a rite of passage.

He has taken the driving test once before and failed because in Maryland you have to "Parallel Park" the car within two minutes and be within 1 foot of the curb. It was discouraging to him and a real let down. We have been practicing parallel parking with various success. I was feeling that I was not giving him enough practice. Today before going to the Department of Motor Vehicles he practiced for a little while. He kept missing the space and was putting the rear tire on the curb. Two or three times he got it perfect, but more times he was frustrated.

His mom took him down to the Motor Vehicles and I prayed. I prayed several times. After about an hour and a half my other son answered a phone call from my wife, and delivered the message- Joey passed the test.

I am very proud of my Son for not giving up. I am proud of him in so many ways. I know he struggles with the difficulties facing him in college and the future beyond. I am proud of him.  I am thankful that God answers prayer. I am thankful that God is part of our family.

Thankful for my Son's Gift

Today was Christmas. We as a family went down to the living room and exchanged gifts. Scarves are in fashion this year and many were given. Packages were open to reveal books, shirts, electronics, gift cards and other treasures.

My best gift was from my oldest college age son.

He gave me an envelope, inside was a letter. It began, "There are some things I've been meaning to say for a while, and I think Christmas seems like a good time to say them..." He proceeded for two pages to relate the things I did to help shape him into the fine man he is. He quoted some of my favorite Bible verses, no doubt having heard them from me often, and said they were a powerful influence in his decision making. He concluded with, "I know you don't hear it often enough from me or anyone else, but I love you and I'm glad that you're my Dad."

I cannot express the humility and thankfulness I felt reading this. I felt this was the greatest honor in my life; I felt blessed and grateful to the Lord for putting a wonderful man in my family.

Why I Am Thankful For My Daughter and High School Band

Today I had the pleasure of going to a high school band concert where my daughter was playing clarinet. As a parent I have many joys and some regrets. I love all of my kids and I rejoice to celebrate each one when I can. So, to listen to the band play beautiful music knowing my daughter is playing is wonderful. The school has several bands and I love to boast that she is in the serious one with the best musicians. It is always a pleasure to listen to her play and practice her music.

I am thankful to have a daughter like her. Many people do not have children or any family at all, but God has blessed me with an awesome wife and great children.

I could make an endless list of why my daughter fills me with gratitude.   I am thankful for...
 
     * The gifts and talents the Lord has given her and proud of how she has chosen to develop them.
     * To see her smile and laugh and be a social person.
     * To observe that she is respected and admired among the kids at school.
     * That she is healthy and growing into adulthood.
     * For the future the Lord has planned for her.
     * That she Loves life and lives every day well.
     * That she is a good student.
     * That she fills the whole house with laughter.
     * That she has a great relationship with her brothers- they needed a sister.
     * That she plays clarinet in the church orchestra to help the congregation worship.
     * That she is respected and even admired by people in authority such as teachers.
     * That she is so creative because I never know what to expect next.

I could say it a hundred times I am thankful that God has given us this wonderful woman as our child.

Adron

Thankful For My Son's High School Graduation.

I am very thankful for my son who graduated form high school today.
I am thankful for his success in school.
I am thankful for the accomplishments he has achieved.
I am thankful for the opportunities that are before him.
I am thankful for the quality of education he received.
I am thankful that the Good Lord has brought him into my life. I could not imagine life without him.
I am thankful that he has overcome many obstacles.
I am thankful that he is turning into a fine young man.
I am thankful for the blessing he is to our family.
I am thankful for the wonderful personality he has.
I am thankful for the exceptional wisdom he already has in life at an early age.
I am thankful for the wonderful commencement ceremony I was able to witness today.
I am thankful to have a seat that gave a good view of him coming down the isle in the procession.
I am thankful for the great education he has received in school.
I am thankful to be able to sit next to my wonderful wife at such a special occasion.

I could make a longer list but it will never be long enough to completely express my gratitude to God Almighty for his blessing this day.

As a father I always feel that I have let one or the other of my four children down at different times. I feel regret that I have not done more for and with each one of them. I pray for them constantly and daily. I believe the Lord has blessings in store for each one of them.

I am looking forward to what great things God has planned for my kids.

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