Building a {Snow} Man

We're in the thick of our awesome Colorado Winter.

Most days look alot like this on our street

and I haveta say, even if I might not be in the majority

I love this season.

White snow is a great equalizer--

every thing looks clean and peaceful

with a winter coat over it.

And the truth is,

this season will be over before we know it.

This young man of mine is his own season right now--

15-going-on-16 this year

and all of six foot four inches tall;

we're buying his size 14 shoes online these days.

He doesn't realize it but this season isn't going to last either.

This season where he's not sure why his mom and dad are persistent

in encouraging him to develop good habits,

habit that will carry him successfully in life.

 He is in that rare season of "between boyhood and manhood"--

somedays he isn't sure which season he even wants to be in.

His natural talents are developing and coming into a matured focus--

like building his own ski bike last week.

Building "contraptions" since he was 4 years old,

he spends alot of time in the garage

disassembling and assembling all kinds of things.

He seeks guidance from his dad sometimes,

but mostly he says, 

"I can do it myself."

We spend alot of time--

"Hey, come sit here for a second"

because the kind of "building"  

he needs along the way to Manhood

takes deliberation and purpose.

Maturity.

And let me just say,

it's a concerted effort to fill his mind and heart

as much effort as it is to

completely fuel his growing body!

Holy Smokes! this boy/man can eat--

a bowl of cereal and a egg sandwich before school,

two school lunches or a whole pizza at school,

chased by what he terms "a snack" aka a Jimmy John's sandwich 

(delivered to our garage last Saturday!)

and maybe a hamburger right before dinner,

then you know, actual dinner!

Followed by a "bednight snack" (his term)

around 8pm.

We're building a man,

and men need fuel, dontcha know?!

This snow-packed street will melt

and those sleeping branches will be buds of green

welcoming Spring,

a new season of growth in our life.

One of many seasons yet to come

for our Snow Man,

our young man, Joseph.