30 Years ago this morning at 9:34 AM Tonia and I welcomed our second son into this World. Nathan Sean Melton was born at Memorial Hospital , Regional on November 28, 1979. We still live only a few miles from memorial, but his life-story has taken us thousands of miles, and millions of smiles during this 30 years. The rest of the Blog post is going to tell you about the adventures and wonderful memories we have had since that skinny little kid came into the world.
This will take two post to do. I learned that when James our oldest son turned 30 and I tried to give his whole life in one post. Cant be done. So I don't care if you get bored and tune out. Its for me , my family and for Nate. If you choose to look at the pics and only read a little thats fine with me. Nate you have brought a lifetime of joy, smiles and happiness to us. I have enjoyed so much your free spirit and smile. So many times your smile is what made my day. Those eyes, always just melted me. Your son Caleb has those eyes, and he reminded me of that yesterday. I told him he had the most beautiful eyes, and he said, I know they are just like my dad's. That was precious. Caleb does remind me so much of your early days.
Its funny as I looked through hundreds of pics this week picking out the ones I wanted to put on this post I was reminded of so many things we tend to forget over the years. Even though Jim was the older brother and you loved him and followed him, it was you who took the lead so many times when it was risky or in an area you guys weren't sure you could go. The time at Granny's condo in Dania when we kept warning you about a certain risk, you were taking which then it happened and it was the bloodiest , most painful day of your life and Mine and Uncle Pats. I remember us taking you to the Emergency Room and no one wanted to be the first one to tell the nurses what happened!! Ouch!! Then to see them laugh behind your back !! It was just a hard day!! A memory only you and our immediate family will share !! No pics for that one !!! Im sure your glad , you know I would share them!! Back to you and Jim, He would just watch you and if you did it, he might try it!! Your little body, did the most amazing things, all the body contortions, somersaults, walking on your hands, tumbles. There was never a girl your age that could match you in gymnastics. I swore you would be a great cheerleader someday. If you hadn't gotten the surfing bug early on, you probably would have probablyy been a gymnast.
You have always hated to travel!! I mean 30 Min's was your limit, after that you hated the trip. You haven't changed alot have you!! I think you have a little one just like you in that way. One of the most hated but memorable trips was the 3 weeks we took to drive 8,000+ miles from Hollywood, out west, up the Northwest cost and then across the top of the United States and back home. You and your brothers griped the entire trip. But now you guys say it was the best ever!! Looking through the pics sure brought back some great memories. Wish I could post them all. (1 hour to see the Alamo, and grand-canyon, San Fran and LAX, yellowstone, and Mt.Rushmore!!! We saw a lot in 1 hour!!)
Remember skiing on June 30, at Mammoth, CA, Mountain on that trip? Snow in Jackson Hole, Wy, on July 4th.
The trip up the East-coast, after finally getting 3 weeks of vacations after 10 years at the First Baptist Church of West Hollywood was another great one. The 21 days in a pop up camper!! Whew!! St. Augustine, Virginia, and Colonial Williamsburg that you guys hated. D.C. , NY, and Shea Stadium to watch the mets Game. 30 degrees in June!! It was freezing. I cant believe I pulled that camper through the streets of NYC, but Im glad we got to go up to the top of the Worlds Trade Center.
Christmas has always been special to our family. I think it started when I was a kid, and just always wanted to make it special for you guys. So many memories and whats Great is we still get to make them now with your boys. I love how they always talk about our trips to the Mt's in Gatlinburg and how much they like the cottage. I hope we get many more of those types of Christmas with you and your family. One of the best ever was when Mom managed the Santa Booth at the Boca Town Center, and Pa-Paw dressed as Santa one day and you guys went up and gave him your wishes and none of you recognized him. That was fun for us.
You always made mom and I so happy when you wrote poetry and would draw. Who would ever thought, the drawing you did free hand, even our house in Cooper City would come in handy, and now your drawing whole Landscape Designs for commercial business projects. So many notes, and drawings I cant put them all here, but here are just a few.
Some of the crazy things you did, like broke both arms right before our Christmas Ski trip skateboarding in front of the house, couldn't find that pic, but this is the culprit you did it on, ouch .and couldn't even go to the bathroom by yourself. I remember feeling so bad for you , that Christmas, not being able to ski. But then there were the years we skied'd with Pops out in Colorado at Christmas. Thats where it all began!!! The year of -15% and we were still out on the slopes at Monarch, CO.
One of few times you ever met My Dad. This was at my Granddad's 80th Birthday in Lakeland. I think this is the only pic I have of you and my dad. At least that I could find.
I remember the day your fav Baby Sitter died, Tracy Shoaff and you were heartbroken. The day before Halloween, and you brought home this baby kitten from the field. I hated cats but couldn't say no since it was such a sad day for us. That cat ended up outlasting you and your bro's and after 18 years, we just had to say good bye to "Pumpkin" (because she was found at Halloween, thats where the name came from, i remember that day like it was yesterday). She was the best cat ever!! She was your cat, but you ended up leaving her for me to raise. Even after you stole her and took her to college, and 6 months sent her home!! That was the best day ever for Pumpkin and for me!! RIP Pumpkin. But Nate I thank you for bringing her to the door step that day and begging us to keep her!! I still have tears in my eyes, just thinking about it!!
The Bahamas Mission Trip when you and Jim joined our Jr. High kids . Those kids are now parents of Grown kids and still my Face Book Friends. I remember telling you a hundred times not to play with the land crabs they would bite. Then outside that little church on Andros Island, you finally got bit!! Wish I had that pic!! Cant remember but you were screaming we ran out and someone just yanked him off your little finger. That was one of those times, Jim just sat and stared!! lOL, great trip.
How could I not use this pic of the lizard hanging on your ear!!
Lots of things to share moving into your teen years, from the Costa Rican surf trip, your graduation, your Hyundai on your 18th, birthday, and the old trailer you lived in when you came to college up in Indian Harbor Beach. Then some of your fam now. Im so proud of you Nate, and Im so blessed to have you as a son. Not only are we still making wonderful memories but you have left mom and I with so many wonderful memories of your growing up days. We will cherish them more with each passing year. Thanks for being such a wonderful son. We love you with all our hearts.
To Be Continued.........................
Some pics that didn't make the cut.......
I want to emphasize I believe Prayer to be the most powerful tool God has given to the believer. But you know what? He has also given us the responsibility not only to pray, but to "Care". If you are not in a Community of Believers who are praying for one another and caring, then you are missing out. Since Community is the theme this week, please consider getting into a Community Group where your prayers can lead to caring. In my group last week we had immigration problems with one of our members. We prayed for him, called him and cared. Others have lost homes, jobs, and had major family issues. We close the group I attend each week circled up in Prayer for one another. But it’s only the beginning. Paul makes it very clear in Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (What was His second greatest command after Love the Lord your God with all your heart? It was love your neighbor as yourself). We are all, as Believers, in the Healthcare business!! How’s the health of those you’re praying for? Are you giving them any care along with the prayer? 
