Sometimes the teen gets in a zone and becomes the man he will be.
Yesterday, while his dad was haggling with a roofer, Andy proceeded with the work on the basement bathrom and FRAMED A WALL.
He has always been at his best with physical work that is spatial. He has always been almost supernaturally comfortable with mechanical and electronic constructs. He always responds well when an unspoken assumption leaves him alone with work that is done by men, not boys.
AND YET, there was a day last week in which he called me TWICE to ask for help analyzing poetry. So he has this strange little spike in his communication center- extremely articulate, vast vocabulary, and finely attuned reception for creative expression.
I suppose every parent of every teenager sometimes faces discouragement with the high school scene and its temptations. But every week or so, he impulsively hugs me, rubs my back and looms over me with good humor.
There is hope. In fact, a lot of hope- sometimes great confidence that he will grow into an adult who likes himself and finds fulfillment.
I love that boy.
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