See these three guys? They are the triplet sons of my daughter Lisa and husband Ralf. They turn age twenty-one this Thursday, June 13th. We will celebrate their big day this Saturday in their hometown, Fairfield, CT.
These are my thoughts about the path they have traveled to get to where they are today.

Ralfie, Jack and Willy were born on June 13, 2003. One of the boys weighed a little over one pound at birth. The other two… about two pounds each. Hard to imagine? All three remained in the hospital for over five months. Five months… before coming home. Surely, God had to have a hand in this.

In their early childhood they had to deal with some tough issues. Family issues that eventually left their dad Ralf as a single parent, taking care of three young boys while trying to hold down a job. How’d he ever do it?

Enter our oldest daughter, Lisa. She and Ralf fell in love. Getting married? Well, they had to think about this. Lisa would be joining a family to care for three boys that were not naturally her own? How would they accept her? How would this work? Nancy and I wondered. But our daughter Lisa has never been a quitter. She and Ralf got married on June 19, 2014. They worked hard… with an uncommon commitment, while filling their home with lots of love. The boys now called our Lisa “Mom.” Because she loved them, accepted them as her own. She is their mother. Lisa and Ralf pulled together to provide their kids a home, an environment they could thrive in.

Ok. Fast forward to today. The boys played baseball. A little golf too. They studied hard. Real hard. Next fall Jack and Ralfie will both enter their senior year at Providence College in Rhode Island. An amazing accomplishment. Willy is autistic. Lisa and Ralf are working to place him in a residential setting where he will be most happy and cared for.

But here are the thoughts I most want to share.

Jack, Ralfie and Willy are gifts. Miracles really, when you consider how they came into this world and the challenges they faced as they grew. But who are they today. All three. Handsome … polite… honest… hard working… appreciative. And most of all loving. Anyone who meets them, will say, “Those boys are so polite and respectful.” A wonderful credit to their dad and mom and the love they passed on to them.

The boys and I have fun together too! Bad golf. Two-hour breakfasts. Too frequent visits to the Dairy Queen. Right guys? Jokes and jabs during our stays in Fairfield. We talked by phone for a year. Reviewing Bible verses every Sunday. Discussing the significance of each in their daily lives. Other aspects of these guys that makes them special? Their thirst for learning. Their ability to listen and absorb information.

As if this isn’t enough. Ralfie is almost a “savant” like when it comes to sports trivia. He is the sports editor for the Providence College paper. This summer he will intern with the National Hockey League. Jack’s passion is investments and finance. He will intern with Mitsubishi Capital. Both will travel into New York City very early each morning.

So. Just my thoughts and recollections over the last ten years or so. As my three beautiful grandsons turn twenty-one in two days. Quite a journey for this unique family. And I’m not exaggerating when I tell you there is a magical quality to the way this all unfolded.

But above all this is a picture of a loving family that despite long odds at the outset? Allowed love to take over. And remind me of the fundamental truth … that the Lord is good indeed.