Thoughts on Evan turning one

Recently our family celebrated the first birthday of our grandson Evan. It made me realize how many things I have learned to appreciate over this past year.

For one thing, I have come to be even more impressed with the power of God. When I look at him, I'm amazed at how intricate he is, down to his tiny fingers and toes. His complexity is not a result of random chance in the universe. He is the result of a master architect at work.

I also appreciate the changes I have seen because of a different perspective. When I was a new father myself, the day-to-day swirl of life left me little time to see the gradual changes taking place in my sons. Now, as a grandfather, I see him from a distance, separated by time, geography, and emotions. I am constantly aware of the progress he makes as he learns to walk, point, eat solid foods, and express himself. It's a constant delight.

Furthermore, I am in awe of the job my wife did as a parent. I was at work Monday through Friday when our kids were young. I'm sure I appreciated the efforts my wife Sharon made, but my respect for her has grown as I see how difficult it is to raise Evan even though he's a great kid. The patience, wisdom, and love required for all good moms is enormous. Janelle, Evan's mom, and my wife have these qualities in abundance. I am so grateful for them.

I can see the true value of friends and families for support now. Janelle has several women with whom she can share activities and concerns. Evan has aunts and uncles who love him and provide encouragement for both Jordan and Janelle. His grandparents live close enough to help with babysitting.

I also realize how important it is to pick the right activities for children. Both Jordan and Janelle have refused to allow television to become a babysitter. Instead, they both read to Evan. This will pay off someday in a child with more creativity, a better vocabulary, sharper reading skills, and an ability to focus on the task at hand.

So, happy birthday to Evan. You're off to a great start in life, and I'm looking forward to sharing many more years with you.