I have a handful of boys who I get to watch as they grow up.
The first four are my cousins. Their mother is a saint because she's raising four boys, and I checked the standards and it's right there: mothers of four boys are automatically saints.
Connor was born on August 10th, a date I remember because I was there. I got to hold him when he was minutes old. So Connor has the privilege of making me feel old every time I look at him, because I so clearly remember the day he was born... and now here his is.
Parker was next. Little fireball, that one. He's feisty and creative.
And then some years passed, and I got two more cousins. I'll let Riley's picture speak for itself:
And sweet Quinn, who has always had a special place in his heart for shoes:
Then not too long after Quinn came, I got to become an aunt myself. Our first nephew, Linus, arrived on July 13th, a date which I'll remember because it was Friday the 13th and Jonathan and I were working on wedding invitations and anxiously awaiting the news. Linus is just incredible. Wiggly, smiley, curly-haired, and so so so loving.
And then, last but by no means least, is the newest addition to the pack of boys I'll be following as they learn: Felix Oliver. I miss Felix. We had to leave Kansas before he really came into his personality, but there's no doubt he'll be one of the most handsome guys around in about 15 years. I know he's full of laughter and some good Irish fire too:
So sometimes I feel surrounded by boys, which makes me think about how raising boys is different than raising girls, and how fathers and sons interact. And how mothers and sons interact. And aunts and nephews. And how women (and men) can help boys grow into the men we want them to be. I don't have the answers here, just thoughts and hopes for these six boys.
But I suppose the real reason this is all on my mind today is that I just listened to one of Jars of Clay's newest songs, called "Boys (Lesson One)" which was written by the band because all four of the members are fathers to boys. They wanted to write a song about that relationship and tell their sons the most important things through the song. And since I've been a huge Jars sucker since I was like 12 (does anyone else have a huge crush on Dan Haseltine (lead vocals)? Anyone?)... well I feel the need to share the love:
Lesson One: Do not hide.
The first four are my cousins. Their mother is a saint because she's raising four boys, and I checked the standards and it's right there: mothers of four boys are automatically saints.
Connor was born on August 10th, a date I remember because I was there. I got to hold him when he was minutes old. So Connor has the privilege of making me feel old every time I look at him, because I so clearly remember the day he was born... and now here his is.
Parker was next. Little fireball, that one. He's feisty and creative.
And then some years passed, and I got two more cousins. I'll let Riley's picture speak for itself:
And sweet Quinn, who has always had a special place in his heart for shoes:
Then not too long after Quinn came, I got to become an aunt myself. Our first nephew, Linus, arrived on July 13th, a date which I'll remember because it was Friday the 13th and Jonathan and I were working on wedding invitations and anxiously awaiting the news. Linus is just incredible. Wiggly, smiley, curly-haired, and so so so loving.
And then, last but by no means least, is the newest addition to the pack of boys I'll be following as they learn: Felix Oliver. I miss Felix. We had to leave Kansas before he really came into his personality, but there's no doubt he'll be one of the most handsome guys around in about 15 years. I know he's full of laughter and some good Irish fire too:
So sometimes I feel surrounded by boys, which makes me think about how raising boys is different than raising girls, and how fathers and sons interact. And how mothers and sons interact. And aunts and nephews. And how women (and men) can help boys grow into the men we want them to be. I don't have the answers here, just thoughts and hopes for these six boys.
But I suppose the real reason this is all on my mind today is that I just listened to one of Jars of Clay's newest songs, called "Boys (Lesson One)" which was written by the band because all four of the members are fathers to boys. They wanted to write a song about that relationship and tell their sons the most important things through the song. And since I've been a huge Jars sucker since I was like 12 (does anyone else have a huge crush on Dan Haseltine (lead vocals)? Anyone?)... well I feel the need to share the love:
Lesson One: Do not hide.
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