Every summer I get him back. He is mine and I am his. Our daily routines are filled with conversations about life, holding hands, snuggling and sharing our dreams for each other. By the end of the summer – My heart is full knowing that I haven’t lost him. This summer he earned a new independence – I let him out into the surf – aware of all the dangers that had kept him onto the shore too long. Every time the surf knocked him off his feet, he looked back at me to give a wave of re-assurance or even better yet .. a thumbs up… as I nervously paced the shoreline. By the end of the summer … he was surfing and I was sitting down, heart proud as I watched my 8 1/2 year old determined to ride that surfboard – no matter how many times he fell off. He no longer gave me the thumbs up – because he knew the same thing that I knew. He knew that I believed in him. So, as I get ready to share him with school, sports and friends for the next 9 months. I made him promise me one thing as I tucked him into bed last night… please come back.
Photo Credit: Kaytlin Barr Photography
