May 29th, Happy Birthday Kolby!

Darren & I are driving back from the lake this Memorial weekend, taking the long way, just to see one last glimpse, the water looks soft as the evening light dances on its ripples and edges, and we are already talking about when our next trip back could be. If you’ve read any of my posts, you already know I’m pretty sentimental and reflective. I was thinking about this earlier, while we were still on the water, as to how, when still and soft, a body of water is reflective of light and the scenery around it. As always Darren & I start remembering and recounting when... we have so many sweet memories getting to hang out at the lake with our family...perhaps I’ll get to share some fun stories another time. This evening I find myself thinking, smiling and reminiscing about fun Kolby stories...

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​Kolby is our middle son. He has the dark features of his dad and Uncle Rick, but like Darren’s Mom, Brenda, always reminded me, “Kolby may look just like his daddy, but he has your smile.” I always loved it when she would point this out to me.


Kolby has always been such a sweet mix of rough and tumble; a tender hearted, quiet thinker, with an independent spirit and strong will...goodness, strong will...lol! I’ve come to the conclusion that you cannot be a Yarbrough without having a Strong Will, be it ever so quiet…His name means coal, victory, energy, power. As I’ve stated before, the power of a name astounds me. However, if I could choose a favorite word or phrase, it would have to be quiet action. Although his favorite phrase, “I do it, I do it,” keeps coming to mind as well...lol!


He’s our kiddo who likes to do acts on the sly, be they acts of kindness or acts of orneriness. He likes to quietly slip in to a situation, do his thing, make people smile and feel better, and then just as quietly slip out...he’s so funny. And not like telling jokes and funny stories, but more in the sense of physical comedy. I’ve often told him that he reminds me a bit of Jerry Lewis, but much quieter...lol! If it will make you laugh or even just smile, he will become the most self-deprecating, physically silly human you might ever meet.


This silliness started very early. I think of the time when we were building one of our homes and Darren was pulling wire in the attic. Kolby was about four at the time. He had found the wire that Darren was working with on the floor and he quietly stood on this coil. I can’t remember if I walked in to find him playing this little practical joke or if Darren’s retelling of this sweet story so vividly over the years has painted such a very precious picture of Kolby standing on the coil, looking up in the attic, covering his mouth to keep from bursting with laughter at the success of playing a joke on his dad...quiet action.


He doesn’t like attention drawn to himself, he’s more of a group/team kind of guy, which I find so funny, because he writes music, plays guitar, helps lead worship and performs in front of crowds. While He works here with us at Y&S, he also works hard at being a musician and is part of a group called Cavern Company...you should check them out...my personal favorite is “Dancing in the Dark.” God has blessed him with a precious wife, Morgan, or affectionately named MoMo by our sweet granddaughter.


Please indulge me as I briefly share one more “Kolby” story...he was in first grade when there was a lock down...scary, right? Well, it turned out to be more precautionary due to a situation that was going on at the high school nearby. However, the moms who were waiting frantically in line to pick up their kiddos didn’t know that and apparently many of the teachers trying to protect the children in their classroom didn’t either. It was all too real. Once it was all over and all was well, Will and Kolby came walking to my car, just as they had always done as if nothing had even happened. I specifically remember looking them in the eyes checking for any visible signs of trauma and asking if they were ok. No signs of trauma. They both gave me the indication that it was no big deal and all was perfectly calm and normal, “kinda like a tornado drill, Mom”


Quickly back to normal, and we were at ball practice that same evening, when a clearly still shaken mom of one of the boys in his class walked up to me. She asked how Kolby was doing. I told her that he was perfectly fine and that it didn’t seem like it was that big of a deal. Her eyes widened at my response and she proceeded to tell me that according to her son and a few other mom’s who had had similar accounts from their children, it was a big deal and quite scary. She shared with me that the boys’ teacher could not get their classroom door locked. They were the first classroom at the end of the entrance to the building and this must have weighed in on her response. She told the children to hide under their desks as she apparently tried to physically barricade the door. Her son was in tears, as many were, including the teacher, when Kole quietly hunkered down beside him and said a little prayer with him. I stood on that baseball field listening to a tearful mom share her sons account of how scared he was and how much it meant to her son that Kolby prayed with him. I stood there in awe of God and His goodness and faithfulness, even in the midst of a very scary situation.


Later that night I asked the boys about their day, wanting to make sure they really were ok, and I shared with Kolby what this mom had shared with me. He gave me his bashful grin and told me that he knew God had it. I believe those were his very words. When I asked him if he was scared, he told me in his quiet, somewhat bashful voice, “yeh, but I knew God was with me.” That’s when I knew without a doubt that he understood. Both of the boys confirmed that they knew that no matter what, God is always with them.


Really this is more a God story than a Kolby story, but he got to participate…for this I am so grateful. I am grateful for children who are now adults and know and love the Lord. I am thankful for children who will quickly give God the credit. I am thankful for Kolby and his gift of quiet action. I am thankful that God has given him the ability to quietly walk into a situation, quietly do his thing, and quietly walk out…that’s a sweet gift…


Kolby, you are a sweet gift…Happy Birthday!!!