from where I sit...

From where I sit I can still see the remnants of what used to be my sweet little brown eyed, teddy bear of a boy ~ loading a hay wagon he pulls those bales of hay up to the top like they weigh nothing - no fear of the height, no waver in his balance on the top of a loaded hay wagon - so strong, so tough - 700 bales in to the job he keeps up with his father and I am so amazed...

But I can still see him, tender and sweet, gentle and sensitive, his mommy completely charmed from the very first smile ~ then I look again and my heart aches, my throat clenches and the young man I'm watching really isn't a little boy any more...

I am comforted by wise words learned years ago - it's not my job to raise a boy, I am to raise a man ~ and we are..

But oh how I love my little boy!! My tender-hearted 2 year old who would not leave my side if I wasn't feeling well, who found his way under the covers every morning for months just an hour before it was time to get up. The determined 4 year old who spent hours cutting and nailing and building anything and everything, my inquisitive 8 year old with fantastic, endless questions -

That tender hearted little boy is becoming such a kind young man, my determined young son is keeping up with the men and is proud of a hard day's work - that gentle little boy is becoming a deeply sensitive but strong young man, that inquisitive nature leading him to amazing knowledge and wisdom - and I am so proud of him...

As he changes daily before my eyes, I long for just a little more time, I ache to protect him from any harsh realities of life ~ from where I sit, I know that it is time to say goodbye to the beautiful little boy who stole my heart with a smile~ but from where I sit, I also watch with great anticipation as I meet the amazing young man he's learning to be ~ and I rejoice!!!

Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
Proverbs 23:25