Lucky 13

My son turned thirteen yesterday. It’s just a number, but then again, it’s not. From thirteen to nineteen so many things in the world await us; our first kiss, our first job, our first date, our first relationship, prom, driver’s school and the dreaded DMV test, our first broken heart and the immensity of what it means to chase love, to lose it maybe and to one day find it again.

I looked at my little boy last night with wonder. From being born 11 weeks early at 3lbs, 3 ounces to standing nearly to my shoulders now. He will be taller than me, that’s for sure, he will have bigger hands than me too, with which to grapple this world, and bigger feet with which he will no doubt leave behind a larger trail. Since infancy, time and again, he has shown strength and resilience that has left me speechless more often than not.  

Thirteen is just a number, but then again, it’s not. Some who know Anthony’s whole story might say it’s a "Lucky" 13. But we – and more importantly HE – know better: it’s a Blessed 13. Today the door opens on a brave new world for him and if that sounds overly dramatic, well, trust me, it’s not. As parents we all want the best for our children, and though teens are a ways off from leaving the nest entirely, they’re beginning to flap their wings. They’re looking over the edge, venturing out on to some of the closer branches and, well, glittering things out there are beginning to catch their eye. We must be there to help, guide, cajole and discipline them, but we must also know when to let them fly, when to let them glide and when to bring them back to the nest again.

As my son begins this journey, I want him to do so just as he began his journey as a toddler, with his arms out a bit and his chest puffed up…and with Christ beating right there in his heart. The little boy who was quoting bible scriptures before he could read must now not only have faith, but learn how to lean on it and use it to guide him along the way. Whenever he has doubt? I will remind him that, as a father, I could never be prouder of the boy God gave me, or of the potential that I know he has in him. He will make a great life in this world, and luck will have nothing to do with it.