I had a post all ready to go about the garden and the bursting forth of spring, but let's talk instead about the bursting into being a teenager.
It came in a little quietly today than I think he hoped. No mustache sprouted forth, no baritone emerged from his vocal cords on his big day. Chest hair is a distant wish. He's still my sweet, goofy, insightful, witty, artistic boy. But he feels closer to being a man - he carried himself a little taller today.
He takes his role as big brother very seriously - sometimes a little too seriously, if you ask Annika (he's a little too fond of instructing her). He loves his sisters with his whole heart, and it shows.
We celebrated this weekend with his oldest friend, who came down from Seattle and with his grandmas and grandpas and uncle. He has sorely missed big family birthdays, so today he was surrounded by family love. He was gifted with a new-to-him trusty black guitar, thanks to the help of some friends in finding just the right one, and with a ukulele from his grandpa. The birthday money is going into the laptop fund, because when one is 13, one needs a laptop apparently. His sister gifted him with a set of his favorite markers and new canvases are sprouting all over my living room. I resisted the temptation to buy him clothes with color in them, because I'm trying to be sensitive to his sense of style (but really, I'm totally over the monochromatic grey and black look). I did not hand him a pair of spandex leggings and say "sometimes, when you are a man, you wear stretchy pants. Just for fun." a la Nacho Libre. But I wanted to.
I've done a lot of thinking over the last week about the passing of this milestone - about the coming of age for our boys and girls - and wishing that we had a meaningful tradition honoring the passage into young manhood and womanhood. I found myself envious of those traditions and cultures that celebrate and mark the passing from childhood. I hope to be mindful over the next few years of nurturing his sensitive self, so that he can go into the world confident and full of purpose, but with his sweet soul intact. We've traversed this teenage road once before, and hopefully have learned lessons along the way that will guide us as we he walk with him on his path to adulthood.
Gunnar, your quick wit and your artistic soul and your kind heart bring so much to our family. We would be empty without you. I love you with my whole heart.
