I recently took a trip to Utah to visit family and celebrate my grandfather’s 84th birthday.
After serving in World War II, raising six children and working as a cook and a plumber to support his wife and children, he looks remarkably good for 84. His favorite line after each birthday is, “I have just 10 more years to go.”
My grandfather has lived a long and fruitful life. Seeing him last month caused me to reflect on my own life and what I have to look forward to.
I have already experienced the major milestones in life that many children growing up look forward to: turning eight and being baptized and confirmed, receiving the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, driving, dating, endowment, mission and marriage.
After turning 37, I realized that the excitement of getting older had lost a bit of its thrill. Turning 40 isn’t exactly something to look forward to and I am too young to dream of turning 65 and retiring.
Thankfully, I have children, wonderful memories and so much to look forward to in their lives.
Like letting them drive:
And going to the temple:
Enjoying fireworks for the first time:
The first time riding a horse:
Giving my son his first bath:
First time at the ocean:
First birthday:
First time in the pool (she does clean-up nicely):
First time at the Grand Canyon:
First time sledding and “catching air”:
And then today, the first day of school:
And life just keeps getting better when you have kids!
Whoa, that’s a scary-looking pic of the child on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Good-lookin’ family, Brian. That is your greatest accomplishment.
Awwwww. I hope your kids will make memories of the moments coming in their lives that are as sweet as the ones you’re making with them now.
Thanks, Geoff. I also consider them my greatest accomplishment. I sometimes wish I had four instead of two, but my wife quickly reminds me that we are done. 🙂
As for the Grand Canyon picture, I will have to post the other half with my mother-in-law holding on to her.
Ardis, I can only hope their memories are as sweet as the ones I have of them. As much trouble as they can be, I do love them and don’t know what I would do without them.
Now I know why my 84-year old grandfather is so happy–he has children, grand children and great grand children. He is rich where it counts the most.
I did a short double-take when I saw your 37 next to your grandfather’s 84. My reaction was: Gee, my mom will be 84 this year, and I’m not that far past 37. Then I remembered that my oldest son turned 31 in June, and my oldest nephew is 35, and I realized that, yeah, I am that old.
Age has a way of creeping up on you. It seems like just yesterday that I was walking off the plane from Brazil, ready to start my post-mission life. Well, I am very post mission now. 🙂