Dearest Lex-
I write you this
letter as I sit on the plane ride home from dropping you off at the MTC. I was planning on writing you a letter and
then handing it to you as we said goodbye but thought better of it. The father's blessing would let you know how
I felt, how your Mom felt, and how the Lord felt.
So while I am
not a fan of the MTC "curb drop", I was so impressed with how you
left me. We cried, embraced really hard,
said we loved each other, and then you let go, looked at the curbside Elder and
said with a teary smile, “Let's go get this started!” That enthusiasm, faith, and desire to work
hard and try new things will serve you well!
In that moment, my testimony was strengthened and it was once again
reaffirmed how much of an instrument in the hands of the Lord you would be.
Anyways, I
thought you would find the following series of events, or my story, to be
rather comical. I talked to Mom most of
the way to the airport which really helped me to be able to fight back the
tears and improve the visibility (even though it was snowing really hard the
closer I got to Salt Lake). I so love
your Mother. She is the greatest
blessing of my life. You are so lucky to
have her as a Mom.
Ok, back to the
story .... As I drove to the airport, I wondered what you were doing and even
thought about texting you. Ooops, that
won't work anymore -- Insert Rachel calling me an idiot right here. So here is where it gets comical (movie type
stuff – think Fools Rush In - even though each instance made me cry). We'll call it, “Dad's Series Of Sad Yet
Fortunate Events”.
Event #1 - As I
pulled into the rental car return I was gathering all the stuff and I stumbled
across your phone. Rachel had sent you a
text (which I don't think you saw) after you two talked. I read it and was sad, yet happy that you two
have such a great relationship. She
said, “I love you tons and I’ll miss you like crazy, but you’re gonna do so
good! I know it! Have faith and work hard and you’ll do great
things. Go out there and change the
world! I’ll see you soon buddy. 18 months will fly by!” So here I go crying while the lady comes up
to check my car in.
Event #2 - I
walk into the terminal to get my ticket and here comes about 25 family members
with balloons and Welcome Home signs, surrounding their missionary that has
just returned. (Insert more tears
here). Yet I smile as I think of the
amazing stories you will have to tell and the growth you will have experienced
when that is our moment at DFW airport in 2015.
Event #3 - I am
hungry so I decide to walk down to Terminal 2 to the food court. Was thinking about Pei Wei, but
again...memories of Lex, which at this point I am trying to avoid so I can look
like a normal human being instead of a grown man crying in an airport. As I make my way to Terminal 2 food court I
look up and see a Cafe Rio. Darn
it. More tears. Yet happy thoughts of the afternoon and night
before your mission spent with some amazing roommates and family that loves
you. So grateful for Emma and Tamsyn who
I am sure will be life-long friends in the gospel. More pieces that Heavenly Father placed in
your path for support and strength. Yet
another blessing. So where did I end up
eating?... Pei Wei.
Event #4 - As I
board the plane I feel alone. I take my
seat next to a stranger who is on the aisle and have an empty seat between
us. Normally I would rejoice in this
development, but the empty seat represents one huge person in my life that is
missing. The plane begins to taxi to the
runway when I hear a blaring alarm. I
look around to see which idiot has their phone alarm going off. Further why are they just sitting there letting
it ring? I think for a moment and then
the horror hits me. It is your phone. It is time for your 6pm medicine. Imagine my horror as I dig through my
carry-on bag to find the phone with a birth control pill alarm ringing. The message I take from this sign is that you
are always here in our hearts, minds and prayers. You are with us in spirit reminding us how we
should be. Those mental alarms will go
off as I get a little crazy and your words of telling me not to be dumb will
echo in my mind. I will strive to be
nicer, more loving, and more patient.
So I am sure “Dad's
Series Of Sad Yet Fortunate Events” will continue over the next 18 months. I miss you dearly but know that your mission
will make not only you, but every one of us in our family stronger. I am so excited to go on this adventure with
you through your letters and emails. I
miss you dearly and my heart aches.
Tears flow as I write this (again sitting on an airplane like an
idiot). But those tears represent a love
for family that I am not ashamed of. I
LOVE our family.
Alright, I am
going to stop writing and turn on a movie where people are blowing stuff
up. Pull out my man card and fly home to
your Mom, who I love more than anything.
I'll squeeze the family for you and tell them again how much you love
them. I'll explain to Megan about the
necklace and the message you wanted her to hear.
Go forth and
serve!
Love you muchie
muchie! Bunches and bunches! Tons and tons! Oodles and zoodles!
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