An Alternative Route

There is a lot I could say about my Andante.  One of them is that he has become resourceful.  Another is that I have enjoyed watching him really grow this past year in particular.  Last summer was the summer of baseball and football and swimming (plus all the "school" work I gave him, but we won't be dwelling on that at all for the purposes of this post).  These stretched him - for good.  We found that the regular physical exertion was really good for him - especially that which pushed him a beyond his comfort zone.  It helped him manage his time (and there was still plenty of down time each day), his emotions, and built some muscle.  He liked it all.  And he had fun too, even though it was hard at times.

Then came middle school - overall a fabulous first year.  He liked football (but opted not to do it again this year), he liked school, he excelled, he did geo bee and actually beat his sister often during practices, he joined chorus, tried (and enjoyed) handbells, learned to play cribbage, learned to downhill ski (fish to water - very fun), he was at the top of his class - a new experience, his writing really improved (through a lot of tears and effort - that was tough for him), played baseball, tried out track for a short while, and I could go on.  That barely touched the surface.  He was willing to try new things and take risks and I was very proud, because it was not easy for him and showed great growth in confidence and character. 

And then the summer arrived - with a few disappointments. Most of all, he didn't make the baseball all-star team.  Without going into all the details of how it all came about, he did end up being intimately involved w/the all-star team, becoming their "manager" and helping out w/practices, field care, announcing, the snack shack, and more.  This was of his own initiative, and he talked it over w/the coach.  He made quite an impression on many folks.  We were proud of him.  He did not hide his disappointment (it was pretty deep), but he took his interest in baseball and his desire to be a part of the tournament and made something happen with it.  He became an asset to the team, to the league, and he had a ball working at the fields and helping w/the team. 

My son is becoming a man.  It is a slow process, and he has much still to learn.  But this disappointment proved to be an alternative route to "success" this summer, by an alternative route and a different definition.  He earned respect in a different way, and made a difference.  He also took several swim classes to help him  become a swim teacher and lifeguard in a couple years when he's old enough, and got some volunteer practice in that area - again of his own initiative.  He loved it.  Swimming and baseball and math and geography and history are his current interests.  I look forward to this year and seeing how God uses these to continue to grow him.  What a privilege it is to be part of the process.