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| Here he is - almost two |
The signs, of course, have been there for weeks, if not months. Maybe even years. The attitude. The independence. His interest in (gasp!) girls. The changing of his tastes. His clothes shrinking (or something like that!). But I wasn't ready to admit it.
But now I'm doing it in public. My son will be entering "double digits" on Sunday. Yup. TEN YEARS OLD.
It's amazing the changes I've seen in him - even in the past year. He's maturing. Learning from his mistakes. Testing the waters. Driving us bananas in whole new ways (love ya, buddy!). Turning more and more into the man God wants him to be.
And the more I think about it, the more I realize my writing is "growing up" too. At least, I hope it is. It's maturing--dropping those adjectives and adverbs and adding the strong verbs instead. Deepening point of view.
I'm learning from my past mistakes--catching those words I use too often and finding better ones. Making my hints and backstory more subtle. Showing more than telling.
And, yes, I'm driving myself (and those around me) bananas in whole new ways - taking on more projects. Finding new ways to get my thoughts down when I should be doing other things (ummm - like driving?). Yapping away about my favorite character or newest story idea to folks who couldn't care less.
And through this process, at least I hope, I'm turning more and more into the writer--and child of God--the Lord wants me to be. (and if you're wondering - yeah, I'll put a current picture of him up here. ON his birthday)
How about you? In what ways have you seen your own growth as a writer?
Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence
Oi, I remember how I felt when my biggest boy turned 10 (just over a year ago). It was like a reality check. I'm sorry... exactly HOW much time has gone by? Now he can look me in the eyes (on flat feet) and is getting too smart for his (and my) britches. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's wonderful to hear how you've grown as a writer. We all get the blessings from that :) Keep on writin', Jo. And happy (early) birthday to your Andrew!
I just realized last night my youngest is going to be 18 in 3 months. Wow! What a reality check that was. 17 sounds young. 18, not so much:( Hold onto that 10 year old. They grow up so fast!
ReplyDeleteYou asked in what ways we have grown as a writer.... oh, my... and part of that involves growing with technology. My first poem was published (by efforts of my rambunctious mom) before I could even write.... then there was the typewriter era and now, my first blog with the help of Vonnie eleven days ago... and writing my heart now that I am "retired". Great photo (I bet he could kill you - tell him it could have been one of those toys and boy in the bathtub ones so he should relax) GRIN
ReplyDeleteWhen our babies grow up it can be bittersweet. We are happy to see the progress but sad about them not needing us as much.
ReplyDeleteYour relationship with your son will mature and grow. Help him to develop a more independent relationship with the Lord.
That heart-pang you feel when they turn another year older never stops, Jo, sorry to tell you. :)
ReplyDeleteMy writing has tightened up a lot - I can say more with fewer words. Evidence is Brad asking how many words a story is, and when I tell him, he says, "Wow, it seemed like lot more than that." :)
My little guy is about to turn 6 and that seems impossible, so 10, and 18...I can't imagine, or rather- don't want to.
ReplyDeleteMy writing? It's growing up, too. I am able to separate myself from what's written and love taking part in the crafting. It's like cooking, some of it's impulse and some of it's planned. Never the same twice and sometimes it's a royal flop. But sometimes? Divine (and I mean that in its truest sense- because like children, the finished product often feels like I had nothing to do with it).
Good post, Joanne :)
Happy Birthday to Andrew, too. Double digits, dude.
Happy Birthday to your growing boy!
ReplyDeleteI think as a writer I've grown with understanding more what works and what doesn't and some of the little areas that I had no clue about:)