It's an amazing thing to witness growth and change in your children. We know it's happening all the time, right under our noses. But it's often hard to notice over the humming routines of home life.
Then...once in a while, the figurative curtain goes up, and you see it. You look at your child, and in a moment's view, you see someone new. And all the recent life experiences--the everyday moments of learning, trying, failing, doing...they race through your mind. And you wonder which of them made the change happen. Which has shaped him and lifted him to this new higher ground?
In your pondering, you realize that the process of growth isn't composed of a moment, or a day, or even a year. It's the work of a lifetime. It's the process of becoming. Becoming who you were meant to be. It's gradual and consistent. It's the work of a mind and heart and soul---deciphering and discerning, rising and falling and rising up again, filling with wisdom and knowledge and goodness. It's a powerful transformation wrought over time.
So you come to a time when you want to be in the audience. You love teaching and nurturing, right up there on-stage with your child, but you see a new spark inside him. The spark that forges individual character. The spark that will feed the fire of growth. Now, you not only want to be a part of the growth process, you want to watch it happen. And cheer. And encourage. And praise. And love. And give thanks.
And from the audience, you turn inward and realize that you're growing right alongside him.
As imperfect as we all are over here, we're entering a new phase. As this school year is drawing to a close, I feel a change. These big boys of mine are growing up. And I see glimpses of who they are trying to become. Despite all my nagging and the poor example I often give them, I like what I see. I see them deepening and reaching to new levels. I read their essays and feel a sure sense of right and wrong, justice and injustice. I hear what their friends say about them. Our conversations (for the most part...they are still boys, you know, and boys will be boys) are shifting to more meaningful matters. I catch moments of greatness.
Believe me, they still have a long way to go. And so do I. But my trust in them is strong, and they are ready to show me who they are. So I think I should let them.
Taylor performed superbly in his ballroom dance recital. We had watched him during practice, and wondered if he would replace that intense look of concentration with a smile. And surprisingly, he grinned from ear to ear the entire number! He looked like he was having the time of his life. I know we were! We were all impressed. With the smile and the sweet 50's swing dance dance moves. Go Taylor!!!
Last weekend we gathered at the theatre for "A Midsummer Night's Dream," put on by our local homeschool group. The director, who teaches a Shakespeare class for the youth during the school year, was amazing! The performance was first-class. The acting, the costumes, the set, the music, lights...EVERYTHING was so beautifully done! We loved it!!!
We especially loved the Rustics (which included none other than Taylor and Romney Cope) and Moonshine's cute dog (Sam).
Romney really got into character and had us all laughing with his natural wit.
Taylor rocked his "Wall" monologue.
And Sam mastered the dog bark!
I remember the plays, musicals, recitals, and other performances of my youth. There's just something special about being part of putting on a show. The hard work, the teamwork and comraderie, the adrenaline that pushes you to your best, the excitement and anticipation, the feeling of accomplishment after having mastered and performed your part...what a wonderful experience for these darling boys of mine.
And a wonderful experience for those of us in the audience...
Posts
