I have a teenager. It does not seem possible.
It can’t be. After all, just yesterday I cried with your father because you came out of my belly so healthy and beautiful.
That was not 13 years ago.
Or was it.
Because suddenly you are not a little boy anymore.
You are this young man, who still loves to hug and hold hands with his mother and father and is not embarrased by it.
This young man who is so self assured.
You make good choices.
You are kind.
The other day I complained to you that you had spent your school lunch money too quickly! What were you buying? You replied that you had bought a girl lunch because she didn’t have any money and was hungry. I asked what her name was, and you replied “I don’t know. She just needed help”.
You humble me.
I watch you with your little sister and it brings me to tears to see how tender you are with her. Most of the time she pushes you away because she is 3 and trying to be independant. It breaks my heart to see how sad that makes you. But the other day when we came to your school to watch a presentation, she saw you and went to you. She crawled in your lap and you wrapped your arms around her. The joy on your face made my chest hurt. It was so priceless.
You are your fathers son.
I see him in you more and more each day.
How lucky you are to have inherited your fathers kind spirit, his quiet and gentle ways.
Yesterday while watching you play football, I marveled to your father about how still you stood on the sidelines when you were not playing. You were watching the game with such intensitiy….studying everthing.
You have always been like that. Since you were a baby, you would study something forever before trying it yourself. Your father said you didn’t want to try anything until you were sure you could do it. You master things in your mind first. It is this cautiousness that makes me know you will continue to make good choices. You inherited this from your father as well.
What did you inherit from me? What imprint have I left on your life?
We look nothing alike. Like I said, you are your fathers son.
The way I see myself in you happens in an instant and then it is gone. It is mysterious and ghostly and I have to wonder if it is really there at all. The flash of your eye. The way you brush the hair out of your sisters face. It is in your expressions and your mannerisms.
If I were to die, would your father look at you and see me in the furrow of your brow?
Or would he see me in the way you love animals.
The thing is, you don’t have to have my eyes, or my mouth, or my hands for me to know you are my son. You have my heart, child. I gave it to you on the day you were born.
I love you with all of my heart and soul.
Happy Birthday my first born.
This made me tear up as well. Beautiful words, beautiful boy. I love reading your blog, Jody. You write about a lot of things I feel and can’t put into words. Thank you for sharing.
Jodi, what a beautiful tribute to your son, and to you two as well.
Happy birthday to your oldest son. He is a handsome one! And he has a great birthday!
Your photos, words and children are beautiful, Jody!
I enjoyed it so much!
Love you,
Shel
Happy Birthday. I hope its a great year.
Thank you for letting us feel with you…
You’re son really does look like Bill….better get the shotgun on display.
*sigh*
Happy birthday, official teenager.
(*side note*—you think the first 13 years goes fast….)
Aww, Jody, you made me tear up.
You sound so proud.
Time flies too fast.
Beautifully written post. And congrats on being the mom to a teenager and to him for reaching the magic teen years.
{{{ HUGS }}}
Karen
Awwwwww, mine will be turning 13 in a couple weeks. And yes, it was just yesterday.
That made me sniffle and weep.
Bless your son, many blessings today and for many years to come.
Leeann
niccofive.blogspot.com
Oh Jodi. I was all prepeared to say something a bit smart-alleck-y because my oldest will be 13 in 3 weeks too. Now, I’m sitting here all teary eyed instead. As much as these teen/pre-teen kids can make us crazy, they are precious gifts. My heart is growing up in my “little” one too. Thanks for the reminder.
Happy Birthday, oldest son of Jody & Bill.
Jody, your pictures really are works of art.
Oh, dear, I am all teary. My youngest is going to be 3 next month which has left me feeling all emotional….and I have a 13 year old son too….
The time is so precious and it slips by so incredibly fast…
Mary, mom to 10
wow, maybe it is the day..most probably the emotion aroused by your writing..but tears have come to my eyes…beautiful!
Hi Jody,
What a truly touching post from your heart. He’s such a handsome boy and sounds like he has such very loving and caring ways. The pictures are so endearing.
xo
This was beautiful Jody. He is such a handsome young man. I love that he is tender and compassionate. My 17 year old son is as well. He does look like his dad! But he will always hold his mama close.
You are both doing an awesome job.
Sigh. Is there anyway to keep them young forever?
This post just made me flash forward 6 years and I am now crying. SO BEAUTIFUL!