Boys will be Joys

I wrote this as a Facebook post to Isaac six years ago today. As he awaits the arrival of his baby girl, this seems most appropriate. My prayer for him is that baby Eleanora provides even a fraction of the joy to him and Cora that he has provided us.

“Today is Isaac Rennert’s 19th birthday. Last Sunday on the way to church, one of us said, “Isaac, I hope you have a son just like you someday!” I don’t know if it was Derek, or one of my parents who said that, but I agree.

I agree in the obvious ways. I hope you have a son who has as much energy as you did. Maybe a son who just won’t be content the first 6 months of life until he can move. Maybe a son who takes your cabinet doors off with an electric screwdriver when he is 18 months old. Even better, a son that tells you “I wanna do, what I wanna do, when I wanna do it!” – at the sweet age of 4!!! Also, a son who is VERY persistent in asking for what he wants. Never throwing a fit or complaining, just asking over, and over, and over (and sometimes making a power point presentation), until we are too weak to say “no” any longer…

Don’t get me wrong, those would be such fun to witness. My genuine hope, though, is that you have a son like just you, so that you can experience the joy that we have. I hope you have a son who loves God and loves his family. A son who has a tender and forgiving heart. A son who loves to laugh and make others laugh. One who is able to laugh at himself and find the humor in the most awkward of situations. One who is kind and sensitive to those around them, and always willing to help. A son who is also a good big brother, who would step up and be more than a brother, if the need arose. One who learns lessons from mistakes and keeps moving in the right direction. One who grows into a responsible young man who works hard and makes good choices.

I’m so extremely proud of you, Isaac Rennert!

As we celebrate you and your birthday today, I do hope you have a son just like you someday. What a blessing that would be. I hope that someday, you get to enjoy being a parent as much as I have for the last 19 years!”

Happy 25th Birthday Isaac!