boys

 i've been blessed to have raised three of them. pictured below is my eldest son, kyle (in the hat). he recently spent five weeks in new zealand, with his love, vanessa and best friend jesse. they played volleyball (one on a pro tour) they surfed and they jumped off things.

kyle sent me a video, brilliantly photographed and edited by jesse, of the three of them in their adventures. the first time i saw it i gasped and wanted to look away, remembering times past. boys on the playground, climbing to the highest part of the jungle gym, 'look at me mom!'  while they balanced precariously or hung with one little arm. ackk! do you know this feeling too? you want to look, but you don't. oh the memories.

now, i've watched this video dozens of times, and even though it scares me, it thrills me. not just because of the things these kids do, but because of the joy that they do it with. i see the awe in their faces, the appreciation they have for where they are, for what they are fortunate to be able to experience. my favorite part is when they are in a blue grotto, looking up in astonishment at the cave surrounding them. but my favorite favorite is seeing my son so happy and fearless and free, loving life.

(you too vanessa darling, i saw you jump!)

kyle is in the black wetsuit (and sometimes hat), jesse in the red and vanessa in the teeny bikini. all are wearing smiles. :)