Monday, August 16, 2021

And Off He Goes...

 
Luke’s first day of college is today.
He wore his dad’s shoes.

This is what I wrote to him last night
that I’m posting along with photos from today.

 
 
Dear my Luke Edward Shelton,
 

It is Sunday, August 15, 2021 as I write this
but you will see it in the morning
on Monday, August 16, 2021.
 
You start college tomorrow.

 


That is unbelievable.
And believable.
Both at the same time.


 


Because you are my baby,
my youngest,
and it seems like you were just born.




But also because you have grown up to be one of the best humans I know.
And you are ready to face the world outside of our house.


 


You've learned so much inside the walls of our parsonages and our home.
But there's so much more to learn inside the walls of colleges.


 


Although scared by the heartbreak of losing your dad,
your childhood has given you so much to build upon.


 


You received so much love from all of us.




And you gave so much love to all of us.


 


You were given the freedom to be who you are,
to learn how you needed and wanted to learn,
and to focus on what drew your attention.
 
When melodies started drawing your attention,
you responded with the passion to learn how to play and sing those melodies
with such talent and inspiration
that it reached out and touched the hearts of everyone who heard you.
 
And your dream of making music your career was born.
 
You lost so much when you were so very little.
But I personally think God has used that to make you stronger.
 
And, with that strength, you will face your future head on.
 
Even if it gets tough,
you'll know that you have faced harder and you can get through it!
 
As you told a nurse when you were getting stitches at the age of 10,
“My dad died.
When I was 8.
If I can get through that, I can do this.”
 
As you start your college experience, I pray you will remember how much God loves you. I pray you will use every single bit of talent and determination that God has blessed you with to learn every skill and every single bit of information you need to build your future,
whatever that future ends up being.


 


Please know,
as you walk through the doors of your first college classroom,
that you are exactly where God wants you at that exact moment
and He will be with you every step of the way!
 
I am so proud of you, Luke Edward Shelton, and I love you so very much!
I hope you have the most wonderful first day of college!


 


With all of my love,
Mama




 

1 comment:

Culture Calendar said...

He is so special!!! I’m bursting with pride. Can’t wait to hear some of his concerts.