He’s eagerly anticipated it for days and had a near meltdown the night before when he thought he missed this Once-in-a-Century E v e n t. I wasn’t exaggerating when I mentioned my son’s personal obsession.
October 10, 2010, 10:10:10 p.m.–10:10:10:10:10 To time obsessive-compulsives numerologists across the globe, it means something.
Stephen set his alarm as reminder lest he forget to watch his clock tick-tock to his precious Appointed Time. It was hardly necessary–there wasn’t a chance of him forgetting. He also practiced taking pictures with his cell phone so he’d know exactly when to “click” to capture the seconds when they hit “10”. So we waited.
And you think watching water boil is interesting….
I’ve never seen a kid so “all in”. In his mind, THIS was reason to celebrate! Capturing the moment was important…day-making…victory!
His dad was amused.
His sister “blessed his heart.”
His brother didn’t get it.
But his undaunted enthusiasm and unbridled excitement was contagious…and I caught it. Maybe simply because I’m his mom, but maybe because of something more…bigger…valuable:
I know all too well these moments are fleeting.
He’s 13-and-a-half now. That six months makes a difference you know; to both of us but for very different reasons.
Parenting’s delicate tension is knowing when to hold on and when to let go.
How wise the parent who subtly loosens her grip before her child demands it. How much wiser the one who knows when a nudge is necessary. Some baby birds need a push from their mother to leave their nest; but I imagine there are others compelled to stretch their wings and fly because they hear the Call of Sky and Wild and have to go.
My children have no idea how they inspire me; how they make me want to be better. How I’m changed because of them….
They’re all my babies, but this youngest child of mine is still Boy. Man-changes are evident–it’s futile for me to resist acknowledging them–but if given opportunity, he would still
… gift me with golden lions
… cherish a side-by-side moment
… give me a bucket of reasons NOT to blink
… use a ball for a throne & be a chair for a cat….
So last night we clock-watched together. His gaze fixed on Time, mine on him. Together we celebrated victory, capturing exactly what we hoped to.
His documented in picture; mine engraved on my heart.
I had forgotten whose son wanted all tens. I was wondering about that. Smiling – and so jealous that you women with children have such an opportunity to learn about God’s love just in the parenting. I’ve been reading blogs – and tried the men’s blogs first – but phhhtttpppphhttpppp. It’s the blogs like yours, and Amber’s, and oh, Ann Voskamp, and a few more that just humble me to infinitesimally sized pieces. I have explained this a few times. I WILL NOT start my blog until you guys have finished changing the way I write. I’m practicing – learning, and so I figured I’d tell you that you are part of my process. I’ve thanked some of the others. It’s time I thanked you.
Craig,
Wow…just w o w.
Thank YOU for your words of encouragement to me. Going back to work last year got me out of the rhythm of "this" kind of writing, and I miss it. What's so funny is I began this post thinking it was going to be (only) silly fun….and it took a turn on its own. That's always interesting to me as a writer.
For you even to mention me along with Ann and Amber is a compliment I can barely receive. I'm honored; more so grateful you took the time to express it.
You NEED to begin your blog now; do so anonymously. I did that for six months before I shared my URL with anyone (although from the beginning I wrote as if I had an audience). Your writing is fine now because it's YOUR WRITING. Your voice will mature, your style will evolve, but the essence of how you express yourself will remain uniquely you. If you wait "until" you think you've arrived, you might be waiting a long, long time.
Thank you.
Shiny happy smile.
Tickled that you’d respond so graciously.
Quickened by your encouragement.
And it’s nice for you to say the writing is “fine” now – but truly, I was about to begin blogging with all heady words and not enough heart – like you women have shown me. It’s night and day – and a transition – because I don’t want “fine” – I want what you guys have – the writing that makes a person (i.e. me) want to sit and stare at the computer screen – and not go away – just keep refreshing the screen – until poof – a new post happens!
It won’t be long – a matter of weeks, choosing a name, getting a domain, and I want it designed, and it’s gonna be twin blogs, lots of stuff to do. In the meantime, I’m just gonna keep glomming up all of this amazing writing, while I do those other things.
I’ve only even been reading blogs for a just a couple of weeks now. First we prep. Then we blog. And it will be soon.
When it’s up, I plan on sending little sparrows out with gold laced invitations. They will alight on everyone’s outstretched fingers, and sing a delightfully, while delivering said invites to come and see. Along with some bunnies. Bunnies are good. Can’t go wrong with bunnies. Squirrels are cute, but not nearly as reliable. Three bunnies have already gotten plane tickets, and a sparrow has googled his flight plan to Chattanooga. Hope that’s ok.
again
really
heartfelt
thanks
Craig
P.S The bunnies promise to be polite and only eat your neighbors plants. And if you have any bunny issues, I can cancel them. But the sparrow, you’ll like the sparrow.
a) Shiny happy smiles are my favorite!!
b) I'm thinking your writing isn't just fine, it's Fine. With a capital "F"; pretty soon I imagine your writing will be FINE.
c) Bunnies & birdies? How Disneyesque of you! Squirrels (with whom I most identify, btw) are rather Pixaresque which is still Disneyesque but more…ummm….squirrelly.
d) Gold-laced invitations are the shiniest, happiest, smiliest snail mail on the planet. Even if it's delivered by critters. Especially when it's delivered by critters.
e) Twin blogs? Does that make you doubly pregnant?
f) Again, thank you for your more than kind words :). Now I have shiny happy smiles. See a).
i identify with this. i get a thrill everyday when the clock turns over 12:34. every.day. twice if i stay up late enough!
Ha! You’re “like” him! I get a thrill, too, but mainly ’cause it makes me think of Stephen and smile. I imagine it will for the rest of my life! 🙂