Happy 18th Birthday Caleb

My dearest Caleb...  

Today you are 18 years old.

The world now sees you as a man.

I still see you as my baby boy.

You have always known how to make me laugh...

and how to touch my heart...

and I am not sure I am ready as the moments we have without you begin to overtake the moments we have with you.

"Mom, when I grow up do we have to be separated?"

A question asked from your 6 year old sweet self!

The reply from my formally 46 year old self caught in my throat as my answer danced around my heart's desire and the absoluteness of time.

In the preciousness of the moment, I want it to be but I have learned to treasure up all the moments in between as that baby boy becomes 18.

With each of you, I think I began to mourn this time even as I held you all for the very first time, not fully understanding the beauty of the journey, because it is beautiful.

The ache of arms outgrown is gently replaced by the anticipation of purposes fulfilled. 

The Lord entrusted you to me and with every one of those precious, passing moments, I have been releasing you back to Him.

Caleb, you are funny and interesting and talented and have a maturity that allows me to release with more ease...

or maybe it's the five other distractions still at home????

Nah, it's definitely your maturity😉

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”

C.S. Lewis

You have good aim my darlin! Don't allow this world to turn your gaze away.

Happy (gulp) 18th Calebebeeeee!!!