Kendra
Years ago, when our sons were young, they were at the grain elevator with their dad when a gentleman asked a funny question — funny in the eyes of three kids ages 10 and under. “John, are you Art’s boy?”

The description of their dad as “Art’s boy” made each of them laugh, but they were polite enough to contain the giggles until they got into the truck. Then they let loose!

“Dad, he called you Grandpa’s boy!”

“That’s hilarious! You’re a man!”

John
In the eyes of this gentleman, age was not a factor. I was Art’s boy. The label was a term of endearment.

Two of our sons are in their 30s now, and the eldest just hopped into the next decade. The truth is, we refer to all three as “the boys.” If Kendra has been gone for the day, one of her first questions when she gets home will often be, “Did you talk to any of ‘the boys’ today?” Or she’ll fill me in on a group text she received from “the boys.”

Kendra
Yes, they are typically still “the boys.” I do remember a time, however, when I was the one who sent a group text ... a group text to our sons that closed with the words “We love you, men!” What warranted that closing — addressing them as men we loved and respected and who were parents themselves? It was the result of coming face to face with reality.

John and I were on the road, driving home from Sewanee, Tenn., after the funeral of my brother’s daughter. Ann was married and the mother of two adopted children, both teenagers. She was a young woman who had fought a 16-year battle with cancer — a battle she was unable to win. Ann was my niece and my brother’s daughter, his girl.

The label is actually unimportant. What is important is love and connection and enjoying and celebrating each day that’s been given, each opportunity to be together with those you love.

John
The chances are great you have a boy or a girl, a son or a daughter, or multiples of both genders. If you are in the midst of parenting today, remember this: The days are long, but the years are short. Too soon, it’s too late. That’s not only true when it applies to the kids in your life. It is true with every relationship.

Kendra
This spring was stressful for many of the farmers in our area. It seemed we had added a new season to the calendar: the monsoon season. It rained day after day in our part of the state, and the stress level was high. Stress is one thing that can make it difficult for folks to remember what is truly important.

So, take time today to stop, breathe and remember those boys, those men, those girls, those women — those relationships that are a precious gift from God.

John and Kendra Smiley farm near East Lynn, Ill. Email [email protected], or visit kendrasmiley.com.