Zac’s Birthday

I swear his birthdays, and mine, come faster every year.

My youngest of three children will be 14 years old on the 12th of September.  He is certainly growing up.  Sometimes, he gets ahead of himself.  I know he’s responsible and very mature for his age, even wiser than his years, but… well, I wish he’d just slow down a bit.  He’s got his whole life to be an adult.  He only has a very short window to be a “kid”.  I want him to enjoy it.

I love that he laughs and is silly.  He’s always had a great sense of humor.  I love that when he’s unsure of something, he asks about it.  He eagerly learns all he can in any given conversation.  I love that he is so active and athletic.  He’s not afraid of getting hurt and always gives 100% of himself.  I love that he feels things so deeply.  He’s always been a very compassionate person and takes things very much to heart.

He’s a great son, friend, brother, grandson, student, and teammate.  He’s respectful, polite, generous, thoughtful, outgoing, intelligent, energetic, and determined.  He’s also funny, goofy, and loves to make people smile and laugh.  He has dreams.  Not just dreams, but goals.  Real goals.  He has a plan to attain those goals.  And, I can’t wait to see it all come to fruition.

He’s smart enough to surround himself with good friends that are caring, supportive, and encouraging.  It’s so wonderful seeing the closeness they share.

Zac has never had any sort of disciplinary problems at home or at school.  He’s so modest and humble that he doesn’t consider himself to be “smart”, yet he makes honor roll in a schedule of all honors classes.  Honestly, the worst this kid does is sometimes lolly gag when he’s told to clean his room or do homework.  He never talks back or refuses to do what he’s told… even if it does take him a bit to get it done.  (A LOT longer than I’d like, even.)

I’m grateful that he feels safe enough to discuss any subject with me.  I know that’s not easy for a teenager, especially a boy.  It’s certainly not always easy for me to hear what he has to tell me, but I’m ever so thankful that he does share it with me.  I pray that I give him the advice he needs to hear and that he’s strong enough to follow it.  I hope he understands that even when I’m upset, disappointed, hurt, or angry that I still love him more than any words could ever express.  And, I’m ever so appreciative of him being open and honest with me, even if it’s something that might embarrass him or make him feel uncomfortable… or… might make me mad.

I want him to know how proud of him I am.  I need him to know how loved he is.

I know it’s important for him to make his own mistakes in order to learn life lessons and to help shape him as a person.  But, as a parent, one of the hardest things to do is watch your child make a mistake and not be able to fix it for him.  It’s heart wrenching to see him hurt because of poorly chosen words and actions, either by himself or someone else.  It’s my job to protect him, yet I know that if I shelter him too much, he won’t be able to grow into the amazing man I know he’ll become.

So, I’ll just continue to hope and pray that I’ll have the right words when he needs them… … and, have faith that he’ll be strong enough and brave enough to make the wiser choices.

He really is a great kid.  I’m blessed beyond belief.

I know in my heart that he’ll do just fine.