My Daughter Megan

This weekend is a special one for our family as we are celebrating not only Father's Day but also the high school graduation of our oldest child and only daughter, Megan Elisabeth.  As I reflect on these last 18 years that we have had with Megan, several thoughts come to mind:

• I'm glad that God was pleased to give us a girl and that she is our oldest child.  In many ways Megan has been like a "second mother" to our boys.  She is a great sister.
• I love her hair, how it's red (she got that from my grand-mothers) and naturally curly.
• Megan has never broken our hearts through disobedience or rebellion.  Rather, she has been a very compliant child with a tender heart and generous spirit.
• My wife is the best cook I know, but Megan is a close second.  Ruthie has trained her well!  If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, Megan will be married in no time!
• When Megan and I butt heads, nine times out of ten it's because we're so much alike.
• Megan has a great sense of humor.  Nobody I know can get Ruthie laughing like she can.
• I appreciate the way Megan was a witness for her Lord during her last couple of years at Weymouth High School.  She has used special projects and presentations as opportunities to share the Gospel and a Christian worldview with her teachers and peers.  This past year she even led an after-school Bible study.  This took a lot of perseverance and spiritual courage.
• Megan has some great artistic ability.  Some of her drawings have really amazed me.
• Friends can be a great asset or liability, depending on their character and influence.  Megan has chosen wisely in this area.
• I appreciate the way Megan understands and copes with my temperament and at times my preoccupation with certain things.  She knows me and knows how to relate to me.  This has not always been easy, and I'm grateful for her patience, forbearance, and sensitivity.
• Whereas many teens don't give younger kids the time of day (or might even pick on them), Megan has befriended many of her juniors and been a positive influence on them.
• I'm glad that Megan is going to a Bible college this fall - one that has a family atmosphere and is committed to a Christian worldview.  I am really excited for her and believe this will be a positive and rewarding experience.
• I won't like having one less chair at the dinner table.
• I will like having back the use of my car.
• Megan means "great."  Her middle name, Elisabeth, means "consecrated to God."  By His grace, we have a daughter who has lived up to her name.  I pray she always will.

Certainly more could be said, but some things are meant to stay locked up in the heart of a dad.  I suppose I've shared these thoughts publicly because I haven't shared them enough with Megan privately, and because I want her and everyone else who reads this to know how honored and blessed I am to be her dad.

I love you, Megan.