Sunday Thought--First Day of School

Tonight we continued a tradition dating back to my early youth--Father's blessings on the night before school.

I remember the special Spirit that came each year as my father would lay his hands on each of our heads and bless us the night before school started. I was always anxious at the start of a new school year and the blessings were a great source of strength and peace for me. I am so thankful that he was always there for me.

Tonight I placed my hands on Tayler's head in preparation for first grade. I am so humbled to be her dad and so excited for all the learning and growth opportunities that will be hers this year. She has such a sweet spirit and I love her so much. It seems like only yesterday that she was heading out the door to preschool with a Dora backpack that was as big as she was. It was slightly less than a year ago that Tay and I headed out to her first day of Kindergarten. Parents came for the full two hours that first day and Jess was in the hospital with Jayson. Tay was so excited. I was close to tears. It's a lot tougher than I thought to watch your kids grow up.

Tonight Jess cried. Then Tayler cried. Rylee wasn't sure why all the tears were coming, but she climbed up on my lap and asked me why I wasn't crying. "Just saving it until later, Rylee, when everyone else is asleep". Just like my dad did I suppose.