I never knew until I had kids, how much I would be impacted by these small humans. I incorporate my life lessons in my parenting, which may come off as lecturing, but I am a firm believer of the action plan. Children don’t really listen. It is the reality, but they do pick up on actions. Seeing how you put your words into movement is ingrained in their soul. Recently, I have witnessed my youngest son evolve into his own person. At fifteen, of course, one is concerned about peer pressure, but as I observe him, he is marching to his own drummer.
In Theology class, the students were given abstinence cards. Out of all of his peers, he proudly signed it and put it in his wallet. You can imagine the environment was less than supportive. Someone very close to him even commented that “you have to test drive the car before you buy it”. He stood his ground. Now, I don’t know if he will honor that card, but I do know that he is developing a self-esteem that I still crave. He isn’t influenced by outside thoughts and actions, but aspires to be his own person.
He also stood his ground when a peer told him he wasn’t a true Catholic if he supported anything, but a traditional marriage between a man and a woman. Bryce promptly replied that there are many things in the Catholic church he doesn’t agree with, but his God doesn’t judge and he “takes what he likes and leaves the rest.”
To say that I am in awe of his maturity and confidence would be an understatement. He truly evokes the kind of person I am proud to stand with side-by-side. I tell him on a regular basis what strength and character he has and what a role model he is to others. He gives a voice to those who don’t have one or who struggle to find their own. Maybe having a special needs brother gave him the ability or maybe he is just wise beyond his years, either way, I am simply amazed of his capacity to stand with his convictions.
Recent Comments