Things we've done that no one should have--at our age. . . .

Kunkel Fam Adventures

I've been thinking a little about what Janette and I have that's so special. . . .

After all, every couple has something that they think is cool about them, something that makes them different from everyone else.

But J. and I HAVE been through some interesting stuff--especially for people our age:

We parented 52 children in two years. Some were in for a day and gone. Some were there for the entire two years.

We helped a number of them graduate. . . . kids who may or may not have graduated without us.

(I pause in wonder. I'm not trying to brag. I really am in wonder that God would choose people like us to be involved in this kind of stuff. But wait. . . it gets even better.)

I got to walk a daughter down the aisle when I was 29.

I got to hold one of my first grandchildren in my arms and bless her when I was 30 (I also helped save her life, but that's another story).

We recorded an album 5 years ago, and though parts of it are rough (too little time and money to do it completely right) and make me wince there are still parts that make me cry. Its all songs I sang to my daughters and son (Jake) in the Shepherd's Home.

If I think back even a little further I can see a long line of young people mentored, loved, encouraged walking through the "peach pit"--our marriage student housing at the university, or hiking the trails around camp together. We were only 22 back then. I remember former roomates living in our basement for 3 months because they had nowhere to go. And the colonel walking in with his band buddies and asking if he could practice in the basement too. Umm. Does that add up to four roomies, plus the colonel, plus his three band buddies, plus Kevin Brewer in the back corner. . . is that nine?

And a single bathroom.

Well, that's not so special. I'm sure there are other people out there who've lived that life in college.

What really blows me away is the family stuff I talked about. That stuff makes me feel really really old. Old in my bones. From experience, from being there--even if I was only 26 at the time.

I walk around, and I know I look to most people like the latest band reject from "making the band," or maybe some surf bum fresh off the water. . . but underneath it all I'm a grandpa.

Yeah, I know, you'll say they're not from my "real" kids and its not the same thing.

But in my heart they're mine. I pray for them all the time. The circle of my heart doesn't know how far it can stretch; it just keeps stretching.

I know you can't read this yet, grandkids, but I love you. Orion, Ionna, Emily.