I have waited 5 plus years for what happened yesterday evening. Jodi had a jewelry show (not what I am talking about), Anna Clair stayed at the show and played with her cousin, so Levi and I had the evening to do whatever we wanted. And what we wanted was to play our first round of golf together, just the two of us. At least that is what I wanted to do and when I asked Levi if he wanted to he responded with a resounding "YES!!!!" So with my golf bag on my shoulder and Levi carrying his only club, a 7 iron, like a gun (he is still only 5) we headed for Upper Lansdowne Golf Club just east of Ashville.

We began on hole number 1 and quickly found that a Thursday evening with 75 degree temperatures brings out all kinds of folks wishing they were golfers. The wait on some holes was excruciating as we had maybe just enough time to complete 18 holes without needing night vision goggles to see the balls coming up the 18th fairway. Now don't get me wrong, I am glad that anyone enjoys the game of golf but if you are going to play in the evening time at least be in a little hurry; at least be ready when your partner hits the ball, you already have your club chosen and you are on the tee box ready to tee off. I am also happy for the females to play golf, but please don't take 1 minute to address a ball that you then dribble off the tee 30 yards to the right. And please don't re-tee another ball that you have to go back to the cart to get and proceed to dribble 30 yards to the left so that now you have to take extra time to retrieve because at least the first one you hit isn't stuck under a tree. And please don't wear black running shorts trimmed in white and a tee-shirt to the golf course. If you do and I am behind you, I may just hit a ball past you onto the green on the 3rd hole. I did. It was a short par 4 (265 yards) and instead of waiting 27 minutes for them to clear the green I went ahead and teed off with my 3 wood, taking a lazy swing just trying to lay up short of the green. I forgot to take into account the tail wind and as soon as I struck the ball I thought to myself, "Uh-oh. I think that might hit them." It missed by about 15 feet. It is a good thing they weren't my uncle or I would have been dodging the ball coming back at me.

After that, I decided that I was going to enjoy this special time with Levi. We talked about him getting his own clubs. He wants one of the fat ones (driver) and the putt (putter). Levi also had started imitating my comments about how long the twosome in front of us were taking to play. So we just enjoyed the company and the scenery and I enjoyed quality and quantity time with a very special boy. I let him tee off on most of the holes and he just started walking up the fairway saying, "I'll just meet you up there." I looked back to watch him and he was hitting the ball fairly well. He would make it up to the green and he would drop the ball in the fringe and then hit it toward the flag. He would then come and get my putter and then put it toward the hole. After about 6 putts he would announce, "Another birdie! I am beating you Daddy!" He even informed me that he made an eagle.

The back nine went much more smoothly as most of the patrons were only playing 9 holes. When we made it to the 18th green and putted out, I told him that at the end of a good round of golf, we needed to shake hands like they do on TV and say, "nice round." So when he finished putting out, we shook hands and exchanged words and then I gave him a kiss. What a special time. Hopefully we have many more such occasions to enjoy a relaxing round of golf. The way we were both playing last night, he will probably legitimately beat me when he is about 10 or 12 years old.

I am thankful that we had the evening and were able to spend that time together. If we never play another round of golf together, I was blessed enough. Whatever it is you and your sons or daughters like to do together, just the two of you, I say do it and build memories and seal the bond you have. Life is too short to take them for granted or to miss the opportunities. Create your legacy today based on a spiritual foundation and pass it on so that when your children step up on it and develop their own, they will find themselves on a solid foundation. God knew what He was doing when He gave us children. Honor His gift by how you handle them.