The Lasts
By the time you read this, Donna and I will have watched our two youngest grandchildren receive a high school diploma. It doesn’t seem all that long ago when we were excited about first steps, first words, and a lot of other “firsts.”
Now, for the past few months, we’ve been experiencing a lot of “lasts.” We have had to deal with all of the emotions that go along with the fact that we’ve seen our last two grandchildren participate in various things for the last time.
As I thought about all of this, my mind went back to some years ago when I experienced what I have referred to as “the first last.” The older of our two children was a junior in high school. Since she was in the chorus at her high school, she was singing at the graduation ceremony for the senior class.
It probably would not be unusual for a parent of one of those seniors to be emotional during that ceremony, but it might seem kind of weird for the father of a junior to do that. It might be weird, but this father did just that.
As I sat in those football bleachers and watched the ceremony, I could feel my eyes getting more than a little moist. It suddenly dawned on me that this was the last time that I would get to see her do this. An all too rapid succession of “lasts” began that day.
I went through those same emotions again as I experienced the “lasts” with her younger brother. Now, I’ve been through five seasons of “lasts” with each one of our grandchildren.
While we celebrate achievements, growth, maturity, etc., there are still some somber aspects about the milestones we pass during our journey through life. Some of those milestones lend themselves to preparation. We can circle dates on our calendars for all kinds of activities.
I read something recently, though, that has had as much of an impact on me as “the lasts” our family has been experiencing. It was a sobering reminder that not all “lasts” can be anticipated.
At some point in your childhood, you and your friends
went outside to play together for the last time, and nobody knew it.
I’m thinking that my experiences and that quote should encourage me to treasure every moment. Whether or not I plan and prepare for it, I will participate in something or be with somebody for the last time.
Wouldn’t it be a shame if I do not do all I can to try to make every experience in life and every interaction with others memorable for all of the right reasons? I can think of a lot worse goals.
Along with that, I think it might be a good idea to regularly incorporate the following request in our prayers:
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12)
AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
