Thirteen!

Dear Jonah,

Today you enter your teen years - I wish you the happiest of birthdays!  I remember so well those first moments I saw you with your bright eyes and tiny limbs!  I remember spanning your shoulder-blade "wings" with a finger...

Now we stand nearly shoulder to shoulder

and your feet are larger than mine and we fight over the blue birkenstocks - until your next growth spurt, that is, when they will become MINE!  :)

I have used the analogy of spreading your wings before in these pages, but that is the image which comes to mind when I think about your growing independence; in getting yourself to the school bus in the mornings, meeting friends at the pool, biking to friends' houses, scout meetings, etc.

You thrive on that independence but resist the responsibility that comes along with it.  You detest being told what to do and this is the cause of many arguments between us.  I so want you to internalize the next logical step: taking care of your tasks BEFORE someone has to tell you what to do.

Jonah, you do teenage scorn and withering glances so well!  I know this is part of your march toward adulthood and I remember all too well my own teenage years.  I need to practice patience and honor your journey as well as tell you often how proud I am of the young man you are becoming!

You are a quiet, steady force, engaged and involved in communities that matter to you: Boy Scouts, church youth group gatherings/camps, school activities such as band and the school play.  Dad was so proud of the way you engaged with your group at church camp this year.

After earning your first aid badge in scouts, you've become a calm and capable resource when injuries arise: not only your own injuries, but those of others as well.  You have the knowledge, confidence, and presence of mind that has all but obliterated the overreaction of my younger Jonah when faced with blood or injury (I remember such outbursts as "You're killing me!").  You did face a pretty major emergency this summer when a glass exploded in your hand when you were 6 hours away at a friend's cabin, resulting in a trip to the ER and stitches.















Your love of music is one of your defining characteristics.  You're most excited about jazz band this year and I love that you play piano wherever you find one.

The great outdoors is where you were born to be.  This summer you discovered kayaking and loved it!

You went to scout camp, church camp, a mission trip, and spent 6 days and nights canoeing the Boundary Waters.

When you came home from the Boundary Waters you announced that as soon as you're old enough, you plan to spend the summer at the base camp as a "swamper" doing anything and everything the camp needs!






While you have a solid - and growing - group of good friends, you are still very much an introvert and crave your down time at home. Finding your balance between your social interests and your quiet time will be a constant challenge in your life, I'm sure.

At camp: a few of your friends

Your sensitivity and HUGE feelings have caused you to build walls around yourself.  You do not like to talk about your inner life and you have been especially guarded when it comes to talking about your relationships.  This makes my heart hurt and what I want most for you is to be able to have the confidence in yourself that allows you to open up to others.  It has taken me most of my life to gradually learn this.  If I could wave a magic wand and give you this ability, that would be your birthday gift.

We have so few rites of passage in our culture, and turning 13 is certainly a milestone.  I'm glad for you that you could spend your birthday with your friends in school, and I want you to know today and every day how much I love you!

Lift your head up high and spread your wings.  Be open and vulnerable - and soar!

Love,
Mom