Young lad no mo…

When I became a member of the Cannell family back in 1982, they referred to me at work (CompuServe) as “the young lad.” Kinda liked that moniker, you know.

The past few weeks have been a wee bit different. After burying Missi’s oldest brother a week ago Saturday, it seems everyone wants to remind me I’m now the Patriarch. Translation, I’m the oldest male standing in this family. When Miss and I married back in 82′ the Patriarch was Grandpa Nick, age 62 at the time. I was 22. Since that day we’ve lost a lot of males. Gayle left us early (2007). Steve in 2021 followed by Nick (age 101) a month or so later. Greg and Jim left us just weeks ago.

Moments ago I was the young lad.

I am no longer even close. Medicare. Failing skin. Two grand babies and one on the way. Miss beside me for 42 + years. Blessed by belief and blessed beyond it. The truth is, friends, we are not here for long. As Proverbs teaches, we are but a mist and a fading one at that. If you live long enough, you’re going to embrace new monikers, admit you have few answers, and develop the humility and perspective earned by years of learning.

Embrace this.

And, never stop working like you did when you were a young lad. Never stop learning. Never stop working your core, and building your CORE. We’re not meant to go quietly. We are meant to glorify God with our time, treasure, and talents for however long (or short) we’re here. Burn out bright, friend. You’ve been reminded, again.

Live hard. Love ❤️ harder. Much harder…