this boy...

This boy is enjoying his last days of childhood.

He mows lawns and sings in church choir.

He plays X-box and hangs out with his girl.

He teases his little brother

and tells me he loves me.

I can not imagine being 18 years old and making such

a major decision. He has signed up

for 6 years of military service. Six years

is a long time no matter how you slice it, but at 18

it is HUGE! 

I admire his courage, his willingness to leap

forward into real life. 

And I hope he will be happy with his choice.

I hope he will appreciate the amazing opportunity

he has to learn and do meaningful work.

This boy~ he makes me proud.

~♥~

with open hands...

Every day I receive gifts. The world offers such beauty, 

so much opportunity, so many choices.

I am learning, through this journey, how very much our choices

 and our attitudes define us. 

I am striving, every day, to open my eyes, my hands, my heart. 

I am choosing to be grateful for the gift of letting go. 

My son will soon spread his wings against the wide, wild sky.

 His life will unfurl before him. And I will know that we have loved him well, 

that he has been raised to be honorable, caring and brave. 

He will take his own path out into the world, but our love

 will follow him, buffet him against storms and trials, 

remind him that we are here, a heartbeat away,
always lifting him upward and onward.  

~♥~