Remembering matters so much in a forgetful world that moves too fast and misses so many meaningful moments each day. Today I get to Remember my Pal, and daughter, Lindsay! – Happy Birthday! Here is one of many life lessons I have learned from Lindsay - Early in 1995 I was preparing for an extended 21-daybusiness trip to England. As the first 16 days of the trip were scheduled as a semi-death march with each days pent delivering 8-hours of business training followed by an evening event and weekends filled with speeches and conference talks for youth groups throughout the country. To compound the challenge I would not sleep in the same city two nights in a row for those first 14 days. With that as a background, I made my preparations for the trip and found myself engaged in one of my least favorite activities in the world – ironing my shirts. With the schedule I described, I determined I would need to iron at least 14 shirts to get me through until I would have a day to do laundry. As I ironed, my Daughter Lindsay, who was about 4 at the time, kept begging me to let her help with the ironing. Any of you who have received help from a 4 year old, know that this kind of assistance is usually more work than help. At first I put Lindsay off,and told her I needed to do it myself. She persisted – as is her nature. Her beggings turned to pleadings – she wanted to help so bad and simply would not be denied. Finally, out of pure desperation, I came up with a plan. I said, “Lindsay, once I have ironed the shirt I will place it on a hanger. Then, if you would fasten the top button of the shirt so it will stay on the hanger, that would really help me out. Can you help your Daddy by doing that?” She was thrilled! I congratulated myself on my brilliance and I pushed on until all 14 shirts were done. I then tossed them into my suitcase and headed off to the airport. After long flights and endless delays I finally made it to my first stop just outside of Liverpool, England. I arose early in the morning and began to get ready for the day. As I went to put on my shirt I realized I couldn’t do it - because Lindsay had not only buttoned the top button, she had buttoned every button on the shirt. Somewhat irritated, I undid all of the buttons, put the shirt on, re-buttoned them and rushed on with my day. The second day as I was getting ready, I discovered, to my great horror and dismay, that Lindsay had buttoned every button on every shirt. So each morning I began the day with a somewhat frustrating and irritating routine of unbuttoning and buttoning my shirt. This continued for several more days. But on the morning of the sixth day, as I was going through the buttoning ritual, everything changed. In the midst of my unbuttoning exercise I found myself thinking about my Lindsay. With each button I was thinking of her dazzling smile, her charismatic personality, her tender heart,her many talents, special spirit and her extraordinary soul. I realized that all of those buttons where simply Lindsay’s way of making sure that I remembered her, while I was far away. I have never looked at a button the same since – and even today when buttoning my shirt – I still find myself remembering My Lindsay. Now Lindsay is has graduated from college, married the awesome Paul Knight and recently brought in the next generation with the adorable Jaxon Knight. As the new grandpa – I now find myself hoping that they too will remember. Remembering matters – the world seems to be crumbling – much of it from being forgetful about the people, and principles that should matter most in our lives. Thanks for the lesson Lindsay – and for a lifetime of happy memories. Pals right? Forever! I remember ;)
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 19:23:06 +0000