Dear Carter at 14 Years Old

 Dear My 14 Year Old Son,

Last week, it was December 10 and 11 and I remember watching you in total amazement. You were up at the crack of dawn that Thursday morning, getting ready to leave for band sectionals before school. The night before, you played in an intense 8th grade A Team basketball game and didn't get home until 8PM and still had Algebra homework to complete. You never complained, conversely, you are thriving, with basketball season officially kicked off. It feels like you are getting better grades and more work done, faster. That same Thursday afternoon, after a long day at school and Spanish AP classes and athletics, you had a long basketball practice that lasted until well after 5PM. We picked you up from school, got you home for about 45 minutes to have dinner and for you to empty the trash in the entire house (your only major chore you have) and you left for soccer practice by 6:20PM and did not get home until 8:30PM. The next morning, you would do it again and even get home from basketball practice on a Friday at 6PM, just in time to start your 6:15 private saxophone lesson. That specific Friday night, you had an 8PM soccer game, as well as another one the following day. In that 72 hours between your Wednesday middle school basketball game and the last soccer game on Saturday evening, you never complained. You actually seem to be in a groove. Sports, sports, outdoors and school. That is your life at 14 years old. It is pretty much the exact same has every other year for the last decade. The only 2 differences now are that you are almost my height and smell a lot more, now!

I paused and looked at you this week and just reflected on the young man you are becoming. There are no words to describe how incredible of young man you are, it is just amazing. Your growth mindedness, willing to try new things and attention to detail is inspirational to all that meet you. I really think you are a modern day Renaissance man, which is defined as a very clever person, with wide interests and who is good at many different things. I paused to list your passions and talents at 14 years old...

Building things, Saxophone, Basketball, Hunting, Fly fishing, Water sports, Pickle Ball, Soccer, Swimming, diving, scuba, Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Golf, Bow and Arrow.... 

Of course, it's not always perfect, but those moment are rare and far between. One of my most favorite things that you still do at this exact moment of time, is come into my room to say hello when you get home late from practice. It is seriously the highlight of my night.

I love you Carter,

Mom