Aging Out
I know “aging out” means the age of a young person who has reached the mandated age for a free public education and the school district is no longer required to provide special education and related services to the youth. That’s not what I mean today. I mean my grandchildren are “aging” faster these days! Or is it just me and time is flying faster? How can this be? Once holding them tightly in my arms and then just a few chapters later, they are mature, on their own and making life decisions for themselves.
Gone are the “have to have” destination birthday parties. My Payton (Larry and Staci’s firstborn) turned 22 today. Our destination on May 25th was always at Marval Fishing Camp in Gore, OK or at the State Lodge in Broken Bow, OK. His destination this year included his girlfriend and her family in Florida.
I won’t be cooking up a fish fry after catching more fish that we would have thought possible. I won’t be sitting in my lawn chair rehooking my line because another fish or another tree branch took my hook and bait. I won’t be applying suntan lotion, but I will be savoring the memories of times past. And, how sweet those memories are!
Happy 22nd birthday to my Payton Cole Wallace! I celebrate him and the precious gift he has been in our lives. For so many reasons, this beautiful man is near and dear to my heart. His parents have been amazing role models to him, but his Papa (my husband) modeled so much that Payton has followed his footsteps. I know Papa is smiling big from heaven’s grandstands at his protégé. Payton is the one who has so many of Papa’s attributes: a real estate and investments guru, pilot, fisherman, piano player, singer, and so many other “Papa” characteristics.
This year includes a precious girl friend who loves Jesus as much as he does. They’ve adopted their first baby – a baby kitten, Theodore, who has stolen our hearts. Check this photo out of the grandparents (Staci and Larry) taking care of their grand-kitten and living well with their 85-pound Australian Shepherd, Buddy, and 5-pound Yorkie Emma. The “kids” are living in peace together while Payton and Aleah are in Florida.
I know this blog makes me sound like a doting grandmother…..and I am. It comes with the territory, as you grandparents know. As my grandchildren and I age (sigh!), I’m more stirred up than ever to be a faith-first, praying mama and nana. I pray God’s Word over them which enables me to pray with power and wisdom.
As crazy as this world is and as topsy-turvy our own little worlds might be, instead of wringing our hands in distress, we can pray—regularly, intentionally, specifically—trusting our children and grandchildren into God’s faithful care. God’s way is perfect: “He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” (Psalm 18:30). We can stand in the gap, praying for the spiritual, emotional, and physical protection of our children and grandchildren. We are not hopeless; we have a God who is “our refuge and strength, our stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
So, parents and grandparents, let’s unite, pray, and believe because God is faithful, we can breathe in His peace while we wait for the answers to our prayers and for our family to age gracefully in His love and mercy.
Happy #22 to my Payton! And happy whatever number you are! Payton is pulling out all the stops to get the most and do the most with his life. We should too. This is the only life on earth we’ll ever get. Why not live it with gusto and no regrets?
I love you so much, Payton Cole Wallace! Happy 22nd!!