The Days are Long but the Years are Short | December 2025

When my son, Samuel, was born, life seemed so hard and the days felt incredibly long. I remember feeling so ill-equipped to raise him. During that season, someone told me that, “The days are long but the years are short.” I didn't know then how true that statement was.

About 2 weeks before Samuel's 18th birthday (November 14th) he was battling severe stomach pains (he's fine now). For 2 weeks we consulted multiple doctors trying to figure out how to treat the pain that he was experiencing. We planned a nice dinner celebration the night of his birthday & a fun surprise that weekend (a walking food tour in San Francisco). The days leading up to his birthday he had lost his appetite, lost nearly 7 pounds, couldn't run and was continuing to have crippling stomach pain. He desperately wanted to enjoy his milestone birthday. Instead, not only did we end up in the ER for the second time in 1 week, he was suddenly thrust into adulthood.

Now that he was 18, the doctors wouldn’t allow us to speak on his behalf. As a Mama, it was a strange turn of events yet, at the same time, I was SO proud to see how he handled himself & spoke confidently to the nurses & doctors.

It certainly wasn’t the 18th birthday we all envisioned for him. God gave us a greater gift … Rob & I got to witness Samuel pushed into advocating for himself as an “adult.” One day we were calling the doctors on his behalf and interceding for him and, literally, the next day, the doctors wouldn't talk to us without Samuel's permission. The Bible says to "Train up your child in the way they should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

To see Samuel grow and handle himself with such maturity was both gratifying and sad - gratifying because, Lord willing, Rob & I trained him up in the way he should go and sad only because I know he will no longer 'need' my assistance for many things.

On a side note, we consulted over 10 doctors and got 10 different diagnoses and advice for remedies before, finally, getting the correct diagnosis. Rob commented that we shouldn't have to pay for all of the doctors who mis-diagnosed our son. That's a thought, isn't it? I couldn't agree more!

Although this wasn't the celebration Samuel wanted entering into adulthood, it was exactly the one God allowed to usher him into this next season of his life. We're so grateful to see how he's grown in wisdom, stature and maturity and how well he's handled this setback. Cross country season officially came to an abrupt end for him ... no competing in NCS or State. Yet, Samuel chose to put his hope & trust in God's plan for his life. Candidly, that wasn't Samuel's first response to his illness, however, after some reflection, he decided to trust God. I can tell you that when I was his age, that is NOT how I would have responded.

The days are long but the years are short ... seeing Samuel lay in that hospital bed, a flood of memories came rushing through my mind. How is he now 18 years old (especially when I haven't aged a bit)? Where did the years go? Right before my eyes lay my son, a young man, a bit beat up but not broken ... having to decide how to respond to the curveball that life threw at him. Would he allow it to crush him or would he find the measure of his true character, choosing to dust himself off, step back into the batter's box, and face the next pitch with unshakeable resolve?

There is no greater gift than to see my son's faith grow deeper roots through this unexpected illness. To say that I'm proud of him is, truly, an understatement. I'm so grateful God made me his Mama - I'm humbled by his love & trust in God.

We did, finally, get to take him on that food tour and we still have one more birthday dinner celebration with his grandparents we're looking forward to!

The days were certainly long there in the hospital, but as I look back over these short 18 years, I realize every single moment was in preparation for times like this.

Thank you for being a wonderful part of Samuel's journey.

With much love & gratitude,

Rica