the best year of my life

"i wish i could stay 8 forever. it's been the best year of my life".
- scout benjamin


as i sat on the edge of scout's bed the night before his birthday,
he looked up at me with genuine concern and said this. he explained
how great his 8th year had been.  he loved 3rd grade, has a best friend,
and was playing on a good competitive soccer team. 
he was worried that year 9 wouldn't quite be as good. 


he explained that his best friend was moving to spain, he was playing for
a new competitive soccer team, and he was getting a new teacher in 4th grade.


as an adult who's been in the world for 40 plus years, it would have been
so easy to respond "you'll be just fine scout", but i know these things make up
his entire world.  it's hard for him to have perspective when he only has a few
years to draw upon.


i took some time to tell him that i understood how scary it must be for him with
his very best friend moving, not having mrs. manguil around, the teacher he had
for the past 2 years, and starting a new soccer club.  i also took some time to tell
him this could be another fantastic year, maybe even better. we can never see the
future, but we can chose to be positive about what lies ahead.  i chose to be positive.


he gave me a big hug and said "i chose to be positive too".  with glossy eyes, i kissed
my little goodnight and wished him sweet dreams.


as i crawled into bed later that night, i shared our conversation with christopher,
and told him just how much i adore our almost nine year old. as a mother, i feel
like i can't possibly love my children anymore than i already do. then, there is a
conversation or interaction with them, and i totally do. 


a mother's heart seems to continue growing as her children grow.