and in a blink

I close my eyes, he is six years old.  

 

he talks in a funny voice when he's around his friends.  A voice that says, "I don't need you too close mom... I am trying to be cool here."  he suddenly doesn't want to drink milk anymore. he doesn't look at the camera without a goofy face. licks his lips constantly.  cannot keep those precious lips from cracking.

He puts together lego sets in 20 minutes flat.... if you don't know about legos, well - then you don't understand -- I am talking about Big Boy legos, the ones that say "ages 7-14". doesn't even ask for help.  he is witty, yet sensitive. close, yet aloof at times.  

six is different from five, much different from four. Lightyears away from preschooler, toddler.  

 

And still, when he was but six months old I remember so clearly holding him in my arms, and for a split second, picturing this moment. picturing this moment and the others that will follow.  This month, it is kindergarten graduation.  but I have no doubt that if I dare blink again it will be high school graduation.  it happens that fast.  

 

he is precious, beautiful, caring.  he is boy.  laughs at "toots"  yet, still little enough that he calls passing gas "toots".  he is a sponge, soaking up the world around him.  asking questions, figuring it all out.  

he is our First, our number one by chronology. he's our learning curve.

if there is one hope I have for him, one prayer for my boy on his birthday, it would be that his heart would always be so pure, so tender.  He knows and loves his Jesus.  He hurts when people hurt, he feels their pain.  Above all else, this is what I treasure about my boy.  This is what I choose to nurture.  Yes, it would be great if he was the super-smartest in his school, the best athlete ... but in life, in his life, in our eternal life, what means the most is our heart, our faith. My prayer is that he will shine like a star in the universe as he holds fast to the word of life. 

Comments

[Jerri Temple]

Beautiful words and photography!

[Janna]

that was sweet... your boys are blessed to have such a loving mother.

[Heidi Britz]

Oh your words are so, so true! The baby in my arms morphed into the whirlwind in grade school, the awkward boy/man in middle school and the almost grown person I am now looking up to in high school. Love him and hold him close while you can!!

[Keri]

I have tears in my eyes and so relate...my firstborn is there too. Thanks for sharing.

[olivia]

this makes me want to cry. and i would be right now if wyatt wasn't asking me questions and boone crying in the background. love this girl. you have a beautiful way with words and your pictures ROCK!