A recent visit to Denver gave “Aunt” Sherri a chance to catch up with Libby and Chris Phillips and their precious family.
Libby, who I often call my goddaughter or “stolen” daughter in my columns, is the daughter of my dear friends and next-door neighbors (for 31 years!), Meg and John Retinger. Having all boys in our house, I claimed Libby years ago as my daughter and my “girl experience.”
The Phillipses – with three boys and a girl – moved to the Denver area this spring to be part of a ministry that will soon have Chris pastoring a church and Libby leading the children’s ministry. It was wonderful to be able to “place” them with my own eyes, to be able to see where home is and get a feel for their lives and ministry.
I brought home something else from that visit that I want to share. At the Sunday morning church service where Chris is training, the pastor introduced the congregation to the app the church has to keep parents informed on what their children are learning in the children’s services. Included as part of that app was a countdown function. Parents can program the timer to count down to the day of their child’s high school graduation, a momentous day in every parent’s life.
The countdown is included, said Pastor Ben, as a reminder that our time of direct influence with our children is not endless. There is a point where we will launch them out into the world – ready or not!
I came home and downloaded a countdown app on my phone specifically for my three grandchildren. It is a reminder for me to cherish every day I have with them.
I wonder how I would have looked at the number of weeks showing on each grandson’s countdown calendar when I was 30. Today, 335 weeks until Cohen finishes high school seems a mere blink away. Even the 800 numbers for King and Gardner don’t feel like an eternity.
The numbers are both daunting and encouraging for me. They bring into focus a day that moves closer each nightfall. They create anticipation and excitement as I watch these remarkable children grow and ponder what amazing things they will do. They create joy as I plan Gigi and Granddaddy days with them to fill those weeks with memories and happy times.
And they are a reminder that, once again, Maya Angelou had the right words for me about life: “We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.”