Giving away my daughter

Friday, July 25th, 2008 I walked my beautiful daughter down the aisle and turned her primary care over to another man. I can't tell you how amazing this day was, and how it will rest in my heart and in my mind as long as I live.

Amber was, as always, stunningly beautiful. Without question she was the second most beautiful bride I have ever seen (but I guess I'm partial to my wife that way), and I'm pretty sure I shook just a little bit as I answered the pastor's "who gives this woman to be married to this man?" question. I'd be lying if I said that a big part of me didn't want to pick her up and take her away, as if that would have kept her being "my little girl" a little while longer. Of course, I didn't. Of course, I answered that her mother and I gave her. Of course I handed my daughter's hand over to her soon-to-be husband.

And in reality, it was much easier knowing that I was giving her hand to a young man who cherishes her like every man would want his daughter cherished. I'm glad to know that she has chosen a very genuine, godly man with whom to spend her life. Nick is one of the finest men I have had the pleasure to know, and I'm glad and honored to call him "son."

So, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Mr. and Mrs. Nick Siler. She may be his wife now, but she'll always be "my girl." God has blessed us richly.

Enough to make you scream

Every morning I drive to work on a busy highway. Every morning I see people dumping their still-smoldering cigarette butts out their window and I just want to shake them and say,

"HEY! PICK THAT DISGUSTING THING UP! I DON'T MIND IF YOU WANT TO POUR TOXINS INTO YOUR OWN BODY AND SHORTEN YOUR OWN LIFE! BUT MY KIDS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE IN THE WORLD YOU'RE USING AS AN ASHTRAY! I DON'T CARE IF YOU THINK SO LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, BUT WOULD YOU MIND SPARING THE EARTH FROM YOUR SELF-ABSORBED DEATH WISH?!"

Then I go back to my commute. One of these days, though...one of these days...