First and Lasts

On November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, daughter, daughter date night, daughters, Fathers-Daughters, Graduation, Growing Up, Parenting4 Comments

As I sat on the tailgate of my daughters truck with her last night, a lot of emotions surfaced. How did this amazing young lady sitting beside me , a senior in high school, get this old, how did I get this old? How did she go from being Super Why, a werewolf, a zombie cowboy and all the others to studying psychology while we are handing out candy ?

How did we go from dressing up and walking the neighborhood trick or treating to sitting on the back of a tailgate handing out candy to other kids that their parents think they have all the time in the world?

They don’t.

You blink and it’s gone. You go from first steps and first words and first trick or treats to probably her last Halloween at home. And soon it’ll be her last Thanksgiving and last Christmas and her last year of school that I get to see her everyday.

First day of kindergarten to first day of Senior Year, first race to last cross country race, first concerts to hopefully not last concerts but I am sure friends will replace me, first game at Wrigley Field to, well we do have one more summer before college and hopefully some summers in between college years, first College Game Day at Ohio Stadium to, well there is a big game coming up in a few weeks so maybe College Game Day will be there and we will have one more.

Her first college acceptance official letter came today. The email came a few days ago. Another email came today accepting her to another school. And I’m sure in the next few days or weeks, or blinks of an eye, she will get accepted to the other three or four she’s applied to. It’s nice to have choices.

But we almost know for sure where she will go. Far enough away to not see her often but close enough where she can still come back home on a weekend, if she wants too.

But more than likely she won’t be coming home to the same house she left, the house she grew up in.

A lot of changes are coming our way. Some good, some not so good. Some happy, some sad.

But like a book, life has its beginnings and its different chapters that somehow all come together to make a wonderful story. And as all stories end, new beginnings begin.

But for now there’s still a few more chapters to read in this book. Then it’ll go up on the shelf of memories and another book will be opened up.

I really have enjoyed being the dad in this book. I am thankful.

Charlie Chases Cars

On November 20, 2020November 20, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Parenting, parents, Short story8 Comments

Image result for absent parent quotes

Charlie was just a young puppy when he chased his first car. Charlie loved the thrill of chasing cars. Charlie wondered what would happen when he caught one.

Charlie grew bigger and faster. Charlie ran every day to build up his strength to catch a car. Charlie didn’t have time to play with other dogs. Any dog that tried to get close to Charlie, Charlie would run over on his way to try to catch another car.

Then one day, Charlie was chasing a car when he saw Bella. The world stopped for Charlie. Charlie didn’t think about chasing cars as much.

Charlie and Bella fell in love. Charlie and Bella started having puppies. Charlie and Bella were happy. Charlie started to worry about how he could provide for them.

Image result for absent parent quotes

Charlie started chasing cars again. Charlie ran and ran. Charlie would stay out late chasing cars.

Charlie and Bella started to fight. Bella was left all alone while Charlie chased cars. Charlie’s kids wanted him to be home more. Charlie’s kids wanted to spend time with their dad. Charlie kept chasing cars.

Then one day it happened. Charlie caught a car. Charlie was so happy. Charlie thought I finally did it. But in that same moment, Charlie had another thought.

Now what?

Charlie realized he had made it to the top but that he had destroyed his life. Charlie had no friends. Charlie and Bella didn’t talk anymore. Charlie didn’t know what his kids were like.

Charlie was miserable at the top. All the long hours, all the sacrifices, all the birthdays he missed to get there.

Charlie wished he didn’t want to chase cars. Charlie wished he could do things differently. Charlie wondered if they would ever forgive him.

Charlie didn’t want to chase cars anymore.

Image result for a thousand years from now it will not matter

Cat’s In The Cradle by Harry Chapin –

Lose My Soul by Tobymac-

Just Another Birthday by Casting Crowns –

Love I Leave Behind by Hannah Kerr –

Without You by For King & Country –

How Could You Leave Us by NF –

Without Love by Bon Jovi –

Charlie Chases Cars

On May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Parenting, parents, Short story12 Comments

Image result for absent parent quotes

Charlie was just a young puppy when he chased his just first car. Charlie loved the thrill of chasing cars. Charlie wondered what would happen when he caught one.

Then one day, Charlie was chasing a car when he saw Bella. The world stopped for Charlie. Charlie didn’t think about chasing cars as much.

Charlie and Bella fell in love. Charlie and Bella started having puppies. Charlie and Bella were happy. Charlie started to worry about how he could provide for them.

Image result for absent parent quotes

Charlie started chasing cars again. Charlie ran and ran. Charlie would stay out late chasing cars.

Then one day it happened. Charlie caught a car. Charlie was so happy. Charlie thought I finally did it. But in that same moment, Charlie had another thought.

Now what?

Charlie realized he had made it to the top but that he had destroyed his life. Charlie had no friends. Charlie and Bella didn’t talk anymore. Charlie didn’t know what his kids were like.

Charlie was miserable at the top. All the long hours, all the sacrifices, all the birthdays he missed to get there.

Charlie wished he didn’t want to chase cars. Charlie wished he could do things differently. Charlie wondered if they would ever forgive him.

Charlie didn’t want to chase cars anymore.

Image result for a thousand years from now it will not matter

Cat’s In The Cradle by Harry Chapin –

Lose My Soul by Tobymac-

Just Another Birthday by Casting Crowns –

Love I Leave Behind by Hannah Kerr –

Without You by For King & Country –

How Could You Leave Us by NF –

Without Love by Bon Jovi –

I Am With You Daughter

On November 12, 2015November 12, 2015 By roberthansen1317In Be there, Christian life, Fathers-Daughters, God your Father, music, Parenting6 Comments

A daughter needs a Dad to be the standard against which she will judge all men.: I would love to see this pic with my nieces and my bro. Or just the girls!:

(Two of my daughters, note to self : I need some currents of Kelsey and Kirstie)

100_3441 CAM00366

Parents listen up, especially fathers. You have a vital role in how your children are raised. You can build your children up or tear them down. You can support, encourage, discipline them or you can enable, discourage and belittle them. You can show them how they should be treated and loved or you can leave them with so low esteem they fall for the guys that abuse them.

How do you treat their mother? You can lead them to God or away from God. Do you make time for them? Take them on dates? (Something I have failed at doing if I am honest- the date part, I make time for them.) You will be the standard for how your daughter sees all men in her life. You will be the standard for how your son sees how he should treat women.

Do you work 70 hours a week and have children say my dad never was there for me? When you get home what is the first thing you do? I try, and sometimes I fail, to first kiss my wife, their mom, so they can see the love their parents have. Then I ask our one daughter who is still at home about her day. Ask her what she wants to do. Play football, watch tv, play games, whatever it is I try to do. We wrestle ( I am Triple D- Doctor Death Daddy and Kylie is El Cupachabra) and I teach her self defense and what to do when attacked from behind, all while she thinks we are just play fighting. Yes, I just got home and yes, I have stuff to do but what could be more important?

I am for you daughters, and I will always be here for you. No matter what roads we go down or if we get lost, we will find our way together. I am sorry for the times I let you down but I love you more than anything in this world.

A letter from a daughter to her dad is always special. We have one such special letter today at your Adda. Kavya, beautifully written.: Never let me go Daddy, oh Father:

As a father, you are a teacher, provider, coach, protector, playmate, role-model, etc etc. It is a big responsibility. One you can not do on your own. You need help from our one true Father in Heaven. No matter how good or how bad a father I am there is one Father who will not let you down.

He is always there for you and for your children. Here is another article from the Loop that I wanted to share. If you listen to the songs at the bottom do you want to be like the first set (before and including Good Good Father) or the last set of songs.

I Am With You On This Road

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

My daughter, you are no mistake. I made you with intention, I made you with your face in my mind, your voice in my ears. I made you with a name and with grace and with gifts only yours—your gifts my very gift to you.

You are not made with a pressure to perform, with an expectation to achieve. You are not made with a heaviness to bear around your neck, a weight to carry, a weariness of long days one after another.

I know the way with Me can feel hard. I know this road feels long. I am with you on the road, my dear. I am with you on this road.

Take steps now, where you can no longer see. Reach your hand out now, for I long to grab yours and hold tight. Lift those shoulders now; let me take that burden you carry.

Can you see me taking it? Can you see my hands upon your shoulders, the weight being lifted off? Can you feel shackles being cut? Can you feel the things you can’t, with your eyes, see?

I am for you, my child. And I do not ask you to go places where I will not be. Only go where I am. Even though you can’t see the next steps, I do. And I go ahead, and I know when the path is clear.

Just follow Me, my daughter. I know this road, this one marked out for you. You have choices about where to go, whether to turn right or to turn left. But ask Me where I am. And trust I give you recognition for the One who made you, for the One who designed your heart, for the One who knows His daughter and the details of the road, for her, ahead.