The Bravest Boy

Today, I present to you the bravest boy in the world.

This boy of mine has more courage than even I can muster on my best days.

Play a lead role in the school musical? Sure!

Ride the tallest, fastest roller coasters? Let's do it!

He is his very own brand of nerdy, goofy silly every day, and I am so proud of him.

But today. Hmm. Today is tough. Tough for Sam, and tough for Sam's mom.

It's the first day of school at another new school, in another new town. New teachers, new friends, new experiences like lockers with combinations and gym with uniforms.

Is he afraid? Yes. But he bravely moves ahead, ready to face his fears head on.

As Sam's not-so-brave mom, I find myself riddled with worries today.  What if he has a bad day? What if he doesn't like his new teachers and new school? What if the kids there don't appreciate his brand of nerdy goofy silly?

I wish, oh how I wish, that I could give Sam the sort of steady, stable life that I dream of. A life where you probably go to middle school with the same class of kids you saw in kindergarten. A life that rarely changes, and when it does, it's in infinitesimally small ways that barely warrant a blip on the radar of life.

Change.

I don't do it very gracefully.

And yet change is the only constant.

I tell myself that we are giving our sons valuable life experiences, and that we are shaping them and molding them to be brave souls who are not afraid to go out and be salt and light to the world. I know it to be true. And still, a mother worries.

And so all I can do on this day is pray. I prayed the prayer with Sam that I pray every school day. I mark him with the sign of the cross, a reminder of his baptism and a reminder to myself of whose child he is. Not mine.

Help Him Lord, this day to be
Thy dear child, a-follow thee.
Help and save him by Thy hand
Until he reaches the heavenly land.
In Jesus name. Amen.