Mason

I recently saw a quote that said, "don't be so concerned with raising a good kid that you forget you already have one." This gave me pause-and I pause for very little these days. It feels like my very being ticks down the minutes until our oldest son leaves our nest. He is headed in just a few weeks to tour colleges with his dad. I can count the number of vacations/breaks/milestones on just one hand before he moves into a college dorm.

I feel like I have so much work left to do to grow this kid up to be a productive human being.

Sometimes I forget that he is a really great person. Someone unique. Someone of quality. Someone of substance.

I'm so concerned with raising him well that I forget he is well meaning. I want him to be productive so I weigh him down with multiple tasks and expectations - so many of them that he cannot accomplish them well, and therefor seems unproductive.

Its time for me to get out of the way, and let him find his own way instead. And have faith that he will choose a way that, though not like my own path, will be a path that will lead him to a happy faith centered and others centered life.

Here are some cool things you should know (and I should remember more often) about Mason:

Mason is creative. He wants to come up with interesting ideas. He likes to entertain others with the thoughts of his imagination. Though he is nearly considered a man he still likes to play pretend like a boy. Not in a weird way; in a creative and innocent way. He was so relieved and excited one night after his weekly Young Men's activity. A new leader had been invited to join the group, and this guy is a comic book fenatic (as well as a pharmaceutical rep and a good husband and father). Mason was so happy that somehow as he finds his own life's path it may get to include COMICS! and Super Heroes! And regular guys who somehow get to do super extraordinary things...

Mason is interested in a wide range of things. Last summer he enjoyed learning about 'the greatest generation' and Nelson Mandella is is personal hero. He understands geography and he grasps the differences in other cultures. His travels last summer to the world Venture scout jamboree gave him new insight into religions like Islam, and a continued respect for and interest in other cultures and countries.

Mason is loyal. Loyal to his friends. Loyal to his family (including our extended family) and loyal to his faith. His hero is his grandpa, who has had to correct and cojole him on occasion when Mason goes to work for him. No matter. Grandpa could say anything, even in an exasperated tone, to Mason and he would still be revered and looked up to. He is trying to push through the roller coaster of emotions (annoyance, over confidence, a general "I know it all" attitude) that are part of teenage boyhood, and get to know his siblings better. He regards it a duty to be good to his little brother. He desires the approval of his sisters and is hurt and mad when the little girls at our house don't want to worship him. He desires the loyalty of his friends and of us, his parents. Loyalty is acceptance, its the feeling that you have someone's back and that they are looking out for yours. Mason wants that very much.

Mason does his duty. He goes to church meetings. He participates without complaint. He enjoys service of every kind. This spring he was invited to be part of the seminary council at his high school. This is not a position that is applied for, but instead it is something that you are invited to do. It means he has the chance to serve the student body of the seminary by putting on activities with the other council members. It is an honor he has been selected. It reflects his nature as one who desires to stand up for his beliefs. It deepens my faith in his ever growing testimony-he feels satisfaction and peace when he does what is asked of him in our church.

Mason is talented. He sings, he can draw, and he can write as well. Liberal arts suit him, and he is choosing to pursue creative writing as he enters college. Next year he will be on the yearbook staff. He is looking forward to an advanced graphics class and will be part of the school's elite singing group; the Ensemble. As he participates in all these fun things we hope he will continue to learn about himself, about what he is good at, and as important, about what brings him joy.

 Mason on his spring break choir tour to Disneyland, CA.

 In line at 6 Flags Amusement park near Dallas last Spring break

A boy working hard to become a good man

 

There is still work for us to do with Mason to help him be ready to grow up. I still fret and worry over him and feel an intense sense that time is not on my side as some very important life skills still have not taken hold on my boy. But its good to remind myself, and to tell the world, that I'm lucky I have a good kid. I'm so thankful that he is my son.