This is Travis now. He is 13. He is 5'7" (yes 7" taller than Mom) and has had his first girlfriend and first heartbreak. How is this possible?
"Travis......I am so proud of the man you have become". Those were the words that slipped out of my mouth without thinking at 6:34 pm tonight. WHAT? He isn't a man......he is 13, still my baby.
Since it did get a funny look from him I explained that I said it instinctly and that I realized he wasn't a man yet but that I could see so easily the man he has the potential to be.
Today we were driving along on the way to church and I am just listening to him in amazement talk so profoundly about his faith and his desire for all the people around him to have the same relationship that he has with God. It slipped out at that point.......my aha moment. It had been building for a while, but sometimes because we are with our children so much their changes slip by us and I just had a moment of clarity and pride!
Earlier this week I was talking to my Mom on the phone and Travis walks by and just says casually........"hey Mom, can you get Nonny to see if Papa can give me some testaments?" I pass the question along and when I ask Travis what he needs them for he tells me that he was just thinking and thought it might be a good idea to leave some in fellow football players lockers in the gym and pass some out to friends at school. His idea was to put the information inside as an invitation to his youth group on Wednesday nights. (My Dad is a gideon so that is the reason for the request btw). I brought them home yesterday and we spent the evening filling out the inscription page with an invite.
As we were on our way tonight he is texting back and forth making sure no one needed a ride and offering my services (I would never complain about that assumption). I just wanted to take a moment and record THIS moment so I don't forget it. You know what I am remembering so much of tonight? Those moments yesterday and last week when he was 2 and singing Jesus Loves Me or 5 and praying for someone he just saw on the side of the street.....I was so proud of my sweet little boy who knew Jesus and went to him so easily. Can I just tell those of you that arent at this place yet how your heart will swell when you realize that those seeds planted have sprouted and bloomed past heartache and the pain of grief and the heartbreak of divorce and have blossomed into a teenager who thirsts for a relationship with God and wants the people around him to have what he has. WOW. I don't feel worthy to be his Mom and I thank God that I have been so blessed.
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Wow. It's been hitting me right in the face for the past couple of months, and TD and I have had our talks about it, but to hear you notice it too is nothing short of awesome. I see in his heart all those 'seeds' starting to sprout and I almost become impatient to see what the tree will look like in full bloom. I say almost because I am enjoying watching the growth, and because I can't believe it's been 13 years either!
Majic and The King have their own specialness (is that a word?) too, but in Travis it's easy to see why he's always been such a great big brother. I think in a lot of ways, his friends, and classmates (even former heart-crushing girlfriends lol) are to him just like his siblings and he wants them all to be safe. All to be loved. The way he knows he is loved by Jesus.
He's 13, and thus a bit of a knuckle-head, but when I think about the 'trouble' he gets into, I am so thankful that we're paying for your raising instead of mine!
Thanks for writing this Val. And oh, by the way, I think you're amply qualified to be his mom!
I was there for the beginning! I can't believe he is 13! I can't believe it's been 13 years since Scott and I have been "together" I have always gauged it by Travis' age, because we were there together at his birthday party! What an awesome "young man" he has become! And so inspiring. You should be so proud! Your an awesome mom and Travis is a reflection of that and your love for him and for Jesus!
Love you!
Heather
Wow! Man!?! I'm not sure what I think about one of my nephews being a man yet! And what's this about a girlfriend and heartache!? We are also so proud of Travis & love him very much!
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