Planting Seeds

Three months ago, my wife and I were able to experience one of the greatest trees in the world - the "Angel Oak" in South Carolina. This magnificent oak tree is about 400 years old. It's trunk is 26 feet in circumference. My wing span is 6 feet. That means that four of me touching fingertip to fingertip could not wrap around this three. I am six feet three tall. The tree is 65 feet tall, which means that it is taller than ten times my height. It shades 17,000 square feet. That means it could shade four of this Millies. It's a mighty oak. While admiring the tree, I found an acorn on the ground. I had to take it home with me. With time, this seed could become just as big as the "Angel Oak."

Three weeks ago, I presented my letter to my oldest grandchild. I had very unrealistic about how she would react to it. I wanted fireworks when I gave it to her. I wanted her to be amazed and blown away. That didn't happen. This seed needs time to grow.

It also needs three other things; good soil, water and sunlight.

Good soil is family.

What you’re looking at here fertile ground. I am a man full of fertilizer. Good things grow out of me. I have a very happy and very fruitful marriage of 43 years. We don't just get along, we really like each other and support each other's dreams. We have three adult children that like spending time with us and with each other. We have a happy family. From this soil we have the fruit of six wonderful grandchildren. We are not perfect. There are rocks in our field. But the soil is dark and rich. Plant an apple tree - it will grow. Plant an avocado tree - it will grow. Plant wheat fields - and you will get rolling hills of golden wheat.

Water is love.

To make this seed grow, I need to water it with love. I need to know the love language of my grandchildren. For the oldest it is exciting adventures. For the next it is hugs and tenderness. For the third it is laughter. For fourth, it is word of encouragement. For the fifth, it is physical touch. And for the youngest who is only one, I don't know yet, except that she is the happiest baby in the world. Always with a smile on her face. She is a bucket filler.

Sunshine is faith and hope.

My grandchildren must believe that good life lies before them. They have to have faith that they will be able to overcome the big challenges in life. They need to have grit and determination. They need to discover and develop their God given talents. They need to face their fears and conquer them with a belief in themselves and a higher power.

And then there is time.

There are thee expression that remind me to be patient in my yearning for immediate results.

The first is "You are entitled to the work, but not the reward."

When I first read that quote, I was confused. What, I'm supposed to work for eight hours and then only get paid for one?! That's not fair!

But it is a truth of life and pursuing anything creative. You can write a great book and it is probably true that it will go unrecognized and unrewarded. You can only control what you do. You cannot control what other people do. You can create something, but you can't control how they will receive your creation. Just do your best.

And the second thing is from the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3 - " To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."

And the third and final is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn…"

The creation of a better life for future generations of my family is in my letter.