Author: Wick

So it’s been a “blah” season so far. Coming off a Stanley Cup win last year (WHOOO HOOO). Keeping most of the same players around. Losing an assistant coach who went to work for San Jose, but we can do it.

It may be sloppy at times. We may not look like we’re trying hard at times. But we are winning games. Most of them, in fact. We’re not number one in the league, but are not far behind either.

In fact, we played the number one team in the league (San Jose…coincidence?) last week. So what happened?

Well, you should read it for yourself…..it’s pretty sweet…..

Today my wife and I celebrate 6 incredible years together. Six years of continuing to build on the relationship that started late in the Fall of 1999. God has taken us on an incredible journey, and we find ourselves in a pretty good place. We are not perfect, either of us. Our relationship is one between two humans who need ALL that God offers. But I’m incredibly grateful to have her with me.

So often I wish I could go back to that teenage boy growing up in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. That I could reveal even a sliver of what his life would be like in 2008. He’d be stoked. Seriously stoked. That he would have a wife like Sarah to journey with him. That she would have patience, and love, and grace enough to love him as much on his good days, as she does in the middle of the playoffs or a busy ministry season.

But I suppose my 17 years of waiting to meet this woman prepared me in many ways for a healthy appreciation of all that she is. I’m not the best at remembering, or communicating that well or on a consistent basis. But every so often, I remember, or am reminded.

All that to say, Happy Anniversary to my wife. I love her. From mashed vegetables to cheese curds to cheese toasties (she knows what that all means) to whatever lays ahead. Thanks be to God, for His indescribable gift!

As I was driving earlier yesterday, the streets still a bit iced over, I looked in my rear view mirror. I saw an ambulance riding right on my tail. This is usually not a very big deal, but instantly in this case I began to think of how to respond if those lights go flashing. I was driving my 1994 Saturn, which weighs in at an intimidating 100 pounds or so, if you use hyperbole. The roads were slick, and traffic surrounded me on either side.

I now have two daughters, and a 3rd child on the way. At this point, they’re following me on the road we’re on. It gets slick at times, and I can’t promise much stability other than gravity itself. We’re surrounded by plenty of others, each with their own destinations in mind. I don’t believe they will follow me forever as a parent, the way they currently do. In fact, Addie

I watch plenty of parent/teen relationships throughout my job. I see teenagers throw on their sirens and lights, and I see parents in front of them on the journey respond in different ways. I’ve seen parents freak out, over correct, and go smashing into the ditch/snowbanks on the side. I’ve seen parents collide with those journeying around them. I’ve seen some parents ignore the lights/noises and continue on their journey, only to frustrate the child behind them.

This is not to say “I’ve figured anything substantial out”. Only to be conscious of this relationship between Parent/Child as we continue to move forward. To constantly be aware that our relationship grows/changes/morphs as often as the individuals themselves grow…which is to say every second of every day.

Don’t look at me to figure out how to have a healthy relationship with your child/teen by any means. But simply, be reminded that it’s something we need to be working on, as is a relationship with any human being. Lord help us. 🙂

I think this entire blog could be chalked up to blog-up-chuck. Nothing in particular struck me to blog about, and this is what you end up with. Hey, no one forced you to read it. 🙂