It is with a great deal of sadness that I anticipate Thanksgiving tomorrow. Why on earth would I say that? Because this will be our last Thanksgiving with Brian. Kids who go off to college often come home for the holidays. The military doesn’t operate that way (and aren’t we glad they don’t!). Who knows where Brian will be stationed at this time next year. It is possible he could be in Missouri. That wouldn’t be too bad. A day’s drive. Or Mississippi. A lot further away. Or somewhere else.

I’m so grateful that the Lord gave us these last 18 Thanksgivings together. It was his first major holiday home. I’m grateful to have been able to watch him grow into the fine young man he is today. I’m grateful for these years together.

But they have gone much, much, much too fast. He was just a toddler, chasing his cousins around the house, playing flying naked Barbies, Don’t ask. You don’t want to know. He hasn’t even moved to the adult table yet. He is my baby, my firstborn.

I will cherish every moment of tomorrow, knowing we will likely never have a Thanksgiving like this again.

O.K., I have to close now because I’m crying. Thank you, Lord, for our son. Bless him mightily.