What do you think about being the parent of a sixteen year old girl? HDIFAMA?

Dear LORD:

Thank you for Jeanae. Help me to be the father that she needs. Be with Ruth and I as we finish raising her. Help her to become the woman that I see inside her. Amen!

Dearest Ruth:

Your MEQ today was the loving way that you supported Jeanae when she had her nose pierced. She is really letting you back into her life!

I think that being Jeanae's father is wonderful. It is also stressful, annoying and difficult at times. I am very glad that I have you back to help me share the burden. She needs you at least as much as she needs me.

As she pointed out tonight, she is just like you. When we were separated, everyday I was with Jeanae, I missed you more, because I saw your beauty, grace and charm in her. She was your image. I never stopped loving you because I still loved her. This is one reason why I was so ready to get back together with you. I continued to be with you through her.

She is very complicated. Very, very complicated. I actually think she may even be more complicated than you at this point. If that is possible. Certainly, you have become less difficult and complicated recently. And she has become more so, so I think she does exceed you at this point.

She is also challenging. She can be the classic surly teenager, very disrespectful and impatient with authority. Mine included. She has said more than once that she simply wants to be out of school so she can start life. She thinks she is ready to be launched into the world. But she is wrong. She still needs a couple more years of being our child still.

Of the three children, she is the closest to me, and the one of whom I am the most proud. A comparative statement, but still true. She has many admirable qualities. Not the least of which is her spiritual side. She is very strong in the LORD and I think that will last the rest of her life, unless I misjudge her.

I will miss her when she is gone. I pray that we live close to her and her family so that we can enjoy her as the years go by.

I certainly treasure these years. They will be gone far too quickly. As much fun as having babies was, this is also very dear and very special to me.

The way I feel is privileged. It is a great privilege to be Jeanae's father. As well as to be your husband. This time of my life I would not trade for the world. It is a gift. It feels like I have been given a great honor, a medal or such. Or a high office. Something like that. Something which others aspire to, but seldom achieve. I have become the loving father of a happy, well adjusted sixteen year old girl. In this day and age, that is very, very rare.

Love,
Me