Ben 10 No Longer

Happy Birthday Ben! 

Ben is an amazing kid. He is witty. He is funny. He is smart. He loves to play games. He loves to talk. He loves to tease his siblings. He loves to play sports. He told me recently he wanted to be a professional football player when he grows up. He loves to hang out with his dad, even when it means work. When I asked him what he'd want to do if he could have a night with just me he said he'd like to go disc golfing.

It is hard for the mom to see my son grow up. I keep comparing him to the small child that he was. I see in his face the baby I used to cradle and snuggle. I think about his first steps and his first words and all the memories we have made. It makes me sad because I want to keep him there, untouched by the world, encompassed by sweet innocence. At the same time, I want to see what kind of man he will become. I want to know if he will be a great man like his dad. I want to watch each new achievement and each mistake and each new memory. I want to help him grow to be the son that our Heavenly Father wants him to be.

I think of him still as a baby, but know that I have to let him become someone strong, someone with his own testimony and his own view of the world. I want him to see me for who I really am and then see the world for what it truly is, not what it wants us to think. I want him to be honest, kind, thoughtful, helpful, true, chaste, honorable, and trustworthy. I want him to get to know his Savior and become the person our Savior wants him to be.

Ben is 11. It is a new year, another year older and hopefully wiser. 
A new year for challenges and adventures. I love you kid! Happy Birthday.