Well, I have a 16 year old son with a drivers' license.
Joseph Martin turned 16 yesterday with only a little fanfare. Arlyce got up and made him his favorit e blueberry muffins for breakfast while I cartooned a 16 foot "Happy 16" card across the kitchen windows. The moment the school bell sounded he was off to the license bureau to take his test. They arrived and found our back tail lights not working, so they scrambled to an auto part store, bought 'em, installed with frozen hands and got back for the test just before they closed. He passed with flying colors and mom and dad took him to Ruby Tuesdays for a big steak. (I had salad... rats!)
Of course we had to rib him on the "sweet 16 and never been kissed" deal... to which he responded "I'll just let you think that." We also had to rib him on the visit to the principle's office in 6th grade when he was reprimanded for a DPA (display of public affection) for holding hands with a girl on the playground.
Joseph's whole life has been a joy to us. It occured to me his whole life has also been spent with us trying off on our own with Faith Inkubators, trying to change the little piece of the parent/kid world that has been entrusted to us in the church. That's him in the hospital on Feb. 3, 1993, months before I left parish life. That's him on Waikiki during our first year on the road. He celebrated his birthday with a cupcake during a conference I set up there. That's him hugging his sister in Segovia this Christmas.
And that last one... that's just him.
Last night he stopped in for "Highs and Lows" before bed (our nightly ritual) and I just couldn't help thinking how grateful I am.
Comments