When I first started this blog — almost six years ago — my son With-a-Why was small enough to sit on my lap. Now when he stands next to me, he can look over the top of my head. He’s got the same long, lanky build that his father and brothers have. Like his older brothers, he wears his hair long, pulling it back with a bandana when he plays Ultimate.
In many ways, he’s always been very adult for his age. He started playing chess before kindergarten. He plays amazing classical piano; he’s a motivated and self-disciplined musician. He plays on a Snowstorm City League Ultimate team with college students and grown men. He’s always hung out with his older brothers’ friends.
Yet, still, With-a-Why is very much the baby of the family. He does fewer chores than any of my other kids – heck, he does fewer chores than half of our extra kids. He and my husband read comic books together at night. He’s still sweet and affectionate, even though he’s so much taller than me now. He’s still painfully shy with anyone outside the family, since he’s lived his whole life inside a safe bubble of extended family and extra kids and a piano teacher who is practically family. I have no doubt he will, like his siblings, outgrow the shyness someday, but he hasn't had to yet.
In September, he begins tenth grade. When I looked at him through a camera lens last weekend, I was shocked to see that he’s turned into a young man. Another child growing up, striding off into the world to figure out who he is going to be.
10 comments:
I love his hair.
You always have the best shots.
That is such a great picture. LP is that age, too, and it's amazing how half an inch makes a difference in the way I perceive her (especially since that half an inch means she now towers an inch-and-a-half over me!).
I feel like I've watched him grow up on your blog.
At first glance, I thought it was you.
Nice photo.
Now get to work on the book; I want to go to B&N for your reading.
;-|
He sounds like a beautiful young man.
He seems like a very fine young man.
My brother Thomas is the same age as With-a-Why and just started tenth grade yesterday. It's a bit unreal to me.
He really has grown so much.
I cannot bear it. With A Why in tenth grade? Not possible. He looks so much like the "big" boys in your photos.
Letting go of my oldest (19, and a Tye-Dye boy too!) has been difficult but filled with hope. Not yet out of the nest yet but the plans are in motion. And following him is our baby at 13, who also has had it easy when it comes to chores, computer time, going to Grandparents, going to the store . . .oh gosh, the list goes on. I've already imagined what it will be like when both of them will be gone. THAT is when I want to turn back the clock!
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