WINGS

It is the Eve of our last daughter's wedding and marriage.

It was a sweltering 96+ degrees when the first one married outdoors -- it rained for the second daughter's wedding in our yard.  Third time is charm - it's in our yard again tomorrow - but this time the forecast looks to be picture perfect.

My emotions are mixed.  It can't be more gratifying than seeing all three of your children married to people who love them and who love God.  It hardly gets better than that.  Still, to see that last and final one walk the aisle attached to someone other than you is, in a too-often quoted word, surreal.

There are two things parents try to give their children ... one is roots and the other is wings.

Roots give stability - foundation - they grab ahold of what's way down deep when the storm and winds of life blow hard - it can't be swayed when a new value system or idea pops up because the roots are gripping a solid base.

Wings let one choose his own direction - they lift you higher than you ever imagined possible.  For the past 23 years every time I've released this bird, it's ultimately come flying back to my open palms.  The wings I face tomorrow, however, express full independence and freedom.

We need to give our children both roots and wings.  

Tomorrow ... our last one flies.

And be blessed.