This quote made me smile this morning, “I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me “mommy”. (Author unknown).  “Daddy!” Judson shouted as he ran to me and hugged my knees. At two years that’s all he could hug of me. I stooped down and hugged him. I wanted to keep him and the joy of that moment. That one word filled my heart. I forgot my day at work, I forget my tiredness.  Judson reminded me who I am for him.  Good thing he didn’t ask for money, the keys to car,etc. My heart was melted and I would have gladly given it all to him. He calls me Dad now, I hug him man to man. He has three sons of his own and one on the way. But to me, he is still the boy hugging my knees and shouting “Daddy!”

I wrote a short note to Judson, who at age 3 was still our our only son. I told him that when I got home from work we would play. I signed it Dad. Marie, my wife read the note to Judson. “But Mommy, he didn’t say love, Daddy.” One word left out, but it meant everything to my son.

New borns are a celebration and reminder that life continues. March 2, 1995 I held Brandon Jospeh Pfeiffer. He wore a baby gown and was crowned with a tiny skull cap.  A fulfillment of a promise. “May you also see the children of your children” (Psalm 128:6) was that promise given to me 9 years before in 1986. This verse and other Bible passages helped during the months I weighed my options and prayed about quitting my

job to serve in full time ministry.  Judson, our oldest son was 11 at the time. So, for me to see my children’s children was a way off. Trusting God at His word and the sense in my spirit, I quit my jobs in accounting and teaching college part-time. Shortly thereafter we moved from South Bend, IN to Cleveland,OH.  Oh, the joy of holding my son’s son! I no longer served in an offiical full time capacity.  And still there is a God who keeps His promises. I worship and thank Him every day.  The joy continues as I see Brandon grow as a teenager into a young man.

Brandon sat on my lap on the rapid ride to downtown Cleveland. I struck up a conversation with the man in seat in front of us. He too was going to the Cleveland Indians baseball game. “Who is your favorite player?” he asked Brandon. Brandon looked at him and then at me. “My grandpa”. The man and I laughed. I hugged and thanked Brandon and told him “I love you.”