What Really Matters?

This entry is from Liz's dad, George.


I am the Redding California Papa to this clan. I was asked whether I wanted to contribute to this blog and I do so with some reluctance. You see, I fully acknowledge that my children have all surpassed me. I’ve always loved music but all three of our children are talented far beyond my limited capabilities. In addition, even though as a pastor I speak each week in front of several hundred people, from the first time Liz drafted her words on paper, I realized she was far more gifted as a writer than I will ever be.

The second reluctance is actually selfish. Many read this blog with interest or even enthusiasm. I, however, do not follow what is posted in the same way. I read what Liz and Sam write like a drowning man reaches for an extended life preserver. I read because for one month each year what is written allows me a glimpse into this unique family that is everything to me. The laughs, chuckles, tears and insights are the highlight of our days each October. Many days conversation in our home begins, “Have you read the blog yet?” Thus, for me to take one day to add to this blog is to miss the latest installment of something that is precious beyond my ability to describe.

Yet I’m drawn to the task by one overwhelming desire. I wanted to express what Sam, Liz, Nico and especially Lincoln have taught me. My wife and I raised three children and thought we captured the essence of being a parent (while realizing we never mastered the art of raising a child…on reflection, that’s like one who just learned to color with crayons talking about Van Gogh’s use of oils in painting). We struggled through many of the stages of life every parent experiences. We endured potty training. We longed for our children to learn to walk and talk; then sometimes wished we had not been in such a hurry. We handled the first days of school and the heartbreak of the teen years. But Sam, Liz, Nico and Linc taught me something I missed the first time around. They taught me that what really matters is not always what we think it is.

I’ve been reading a little book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. In it, he admits, “My greatest fear is not failure. My greatest fear is that I will succeed in things that don’t really matter.” Sam and Liz with the addition of Nico had what most people consider a successful family. Liz astounded us with her ability to finish college at a time in life when most would have quit. Sam is one of the best read historians I know. He has more passion for and greater insight into history than all the history teachers/coaches I had in high school. Nico delighted us from the earliest days of flying around the room in sheer exuberance whenever “Somebody to Love” from Happy Feet sounded the first notes. It seemed they had figured out what really mattered.

The addition of Lincoln brought a new revelation. When Lincoln struggled for each breath, seemed to resist each ounce of food that went through the stomach tube, agonized over eating even a silly Goldfish cracker, Sam, Liz and Nico concentrated their love, devotion and enormous effort to this new addition to their family. In the process they redefined success by doing what really matters. They loved a child others considered imperfect, but they recognized simply as their Lincoln. They don’t think it was a sacrifice. They would argue, “Lincoln is part of us, what else would you expect?” But there is trying and then there is the Herculean effort this family exerted for Lincoln, and the incredible investment in love they deposited in him. In so doing, they reminded me of true success and in the process became my heroes. For this and so much more they have taught me, I am humbled and eternally grateful.


~~~ Well, dad, just so you don't miss out entirely on your daily dose, here's a quick video of the boys light saber fighting. ~~~