On AJ Growing Up

This week, we enjoyed the privilege of celebrating AJ's ninth birthday. Every year I experience the same sentiments on each of my children's birthdays -- disbelief and denial. As I look back over the years, my heart fills with a bittersweet happiness as I remember the joys we have experienced and the hardships we have overcome.

AJ has grown so much this year, not only in body, but also in internal strength and maturity. He really is not my little boy anymore. He still struggles with wanting to complete his schoolwork, but he has shown the ability to focus and complete his assignments when it is necessary to really buckle down (and when properly motivated). He has also demonstrated great spiritual growth and understanding in our discussions at home. He really has a heart for others, and he prays every night that the people in Iraq would stop getting killed. He really floored me when he also prayed that those who are doing the killing would come to know Jesus. He recognized that as a need for everyone involved with no prompting from me.

This year, AJ has also had the privilege to start to go hunting with Daddy. He went on his first pheasant hunt (which is no small feat considering his fear of dogs), and he is spending his birthday weekend elk hunting in the mountains.

My little boy is gone.

Nine years. That is half of eighteen. My years with him at home are half-way over. I know my job is to work myself out of a job. If my kids are living at home in their twenties, I failed in some capacity. But those first nine years passed so quickly.

I love this kid dearly, and I can't wait to see what the next nine years hold. I hope that I will be able to release him when the time comes. But I know I am a sap, and I will only be able to hold that excited smile long enough for him to turn away and walk into adulthood.