Working Boy

Brent informed me that Hudson would be working with Dale's crew up in Rigby and that he needed to be ready to go at 7:00 am.  I had all sorts of reservations sending my little boy off with the big boys.  But I packed him an extra big lunch and sent him off.  I worried about him all day, but got especially nervous at nightfall.  I texted his Uncle Todd to have him check on him.  He replied, assuring me things were good.

I waited for their crew to return.  The truck pulled in at 11:00 pm, but no Hudson.  Fifteen minutes later, Hudson came though the back door.  (He had fallen asleep on the ride home and no one had bothered to wake him up.)

I kissed him good night and sent him to bed, grateful that he has a dad that knows what it takes to make a boy into a man.  So now when the expectations seem too lofty, I bite my lip and recognize that he is no longer my little boy.

He is growing.

And although it makes me a bit sad, I am very proud of the young man that he is becoming.

It has been said that the two most important things we can offer our children are roots (of responsibility) to grow and wings (of independence) to fly.

Roots & Wings 
If I could give you many things, 
I'd give you gold and silver rings
Of knowledge that I've gained with years 
The gift of smiling through the tears 
Confidence, courage, determination, 
Laughter and spirit and love of creation, 
Wrapped up in a box with a bow, I'd give
To you these gifts to keep for as long as you live.

"If I could give you just two things,
One would be Roots, the other, Wings."
Roots, not to tie you to the ground,
But to guide you to where your fulfillment is found 
The nourishing start, the firm foundation,
The source of your inner determination.
Wings to soar over obstacles, wings to fly free, 
Wings to glide to the heights of the best you can be. 
And when obstacles loom, from your Roots grows a hand
 Providing a strong, sturdy, safe place to land.
I'd choose these two things for the gifts that are best, 
For with Roots and with Wings, you'll find all the rest!