My favorite Jeff Foxworthy redneck joke has always been the one about the man who is walking to school with his little boy because both of them are in the same grade. All three of my boys like Jeff Foxworthy, but none of them have ever seen the humor in that particular joke. I think deep down there was a deep seated fear that such a scenario might actually come true. Their concern may have been justified…

Randall is taking both semesters of first year college Spanish this summer. Today I began my online Spanish grammar course at Tarrant County College. What a shame. We can’t walk to class together. If Randall was taking his coursework here, we could have late night study sessions. It is a greater shame that he won’t be sitting next to me in class. He always knew there was a truth in jest. That is why he was so cautious in laughing at the Jeff Foxworthy jokes I thought were so funny.

I am fully aware of the fact that Randall will pick up Spanish more rapidly than I will. I have traveled in Mexico far more extensively that he has and I have used my Spanish on the streets with police officers. But he will still learn it faster.

We never walked to class together, because we were in the same grade, but I have known for a long time that Randall would surpass me intellectually very quickly. I really don’t know where he will land professionally. He is at least entertaining the idea of law school. I have never felt sorry for criminals before, but if Randall becomes a prosecutor I may start. Randall can argue like no one I ever seen.
His analytical abilities are beyond my comprehension. As a prosecutor, he would chew up the criminal and defense lawyer in record speed. And he would be extremely nice about it in the process.

It has been a lot of fun watching all three of the boys grow up. I so remember what it was like to be in college and wonder what I was going to be when I grew up. I feel for Randall right now. He is young and bright. He can do whatever he wants to do. He could excel at so many things. My prayer is that he will find a path that is personally fulfilling. But I also pray that God will use his talents in a way that makes a difference in a crazy world. I too had a decent number of career options, but I am so grateful that I was led to do what I am doing now. I don’t want my kids to follow in my footsteps. I just want them to make a difference. It seems to me that a kid who is taking the same coursework as his 48 year old dad can surely figure that one out.