Mileage Plus

I'm grateful for the internet,
for cell phones and for Skype.
But when your kids live far away
it's easy, Lord, to gripe.

I'm jealous of some dads I know
who meet their sons for lunch
or treat their daughters at Starbucks
to tea and apple crunch.

Forgive me, Lord, when I complain
and claim it isn't fair.
I'm sorry for my tendency
to envy and compare.

But golly, God, the holidays
can seem too much to bear.
I ache to see the table set
with all those empty chairs.

And yet, I'm oh so grateful for
the lives my children lead.
It curbs the pain to see how You
have helped each to succeed.

Thank You, Lord, for times we share
though few and far between.
Perhaps some day we'll all live close.
At least a dad can dream.

* This year all three of our daughters live more than 2,000 miles away from home. Although we will all be together for Thanksgiving, Wendy and I were not able to be with our youngest for Parents Weekend at her college in Illinois. Neither will we be able to celebrate with Lauren as she turns 19 this weekend. The miles that separate seem somehow much longer on special days.