My son Joren is in town. He is 29. We only see him now about 4 or 5 times a year. But how wonderful are these times. After years of worrying over his personal finances, car maintenance, and other nagging parental sorrows, we now (finally!) can just enjoy his visit as our beloved son. We have so much to talk about, share so many similar interests(music, travel, current events,exercise, food,books, films), and have lots of laughs over old times and all the eccentric interesting people we have known over these 29 years.
Joren and I went on a run together last night and talked of church matters. I am happy to report that he is much wiser than his father and more successful though not quite as tall and only slightly better looking. I think we could have run for 2 hours and not run (bad pun) out of topics to discuss.
I was only 24 and Kate 23 when Joren was born in July of 1981. I was a poor young mostly clueless seminarian. Yes, we were actually trying to have a baby; ready I guess after being together since our senior year of high school. So here we are 53 and 52 with children 29 and 26. I have a friend my age who has a four year old. Can't imagine it! Don't want it! Been there. Done that. But I think we are actually ready for grandchildren. Neither Joren nor Emily are married. We will wait patiently and hope for the best.
Neil is executive pastor and associate pastor for outreach ministry at