I have very vivid memories of my parents waving goodbye to me as I would leave their home in Tulsa after a visit. Over the years, as we had kids, they would still be waving to us as we drove away. Now, my wife, Kelly, and I are the ones waving to our children and now our grandchildren as well. We stand outside and wave as they drive away, and the moment is not complete until my kids honk their horn, signaling one final goodbye. It is an important ritual I’m glad we still do, and no doubt some of my children will continue the tradition with their little ones in years to come.

At the start of this year, along with my stepmom Liela, who’s deployed overseas, and my siblings, CJ and Gia, in Kentucky and Tennessee, we committed to a 40-day challenge: 40 miles, 40 readings, 40 days. Each day, we walk one mile, read one passage from the book of John, and check in with each other.