Monday, March 17, 2008

Moving into Manhood






Today is St. Patrick's Day and we chose to honor the day in a momentous fashion. Aaron shaved for the first time! Our 13 1/2 year old OS has completed another rite of passage into manhood. Ike and I are now the only ones who do not shave our faces and I'm hoping we can keep it that way for a long time. There are absolutely no plans for me to shave my face, btw! WHEW!
My husband gave Aaron a few pointers as he navigated around his face. Side by side in the freshly tidied bathroom, Mark patiently instructed his son. The peach fuzz has been so much fun to see sprouting but it was time for Aaron to become a clean-shaven teen.
 These are the precious moments that so many boys never experience because their dad isn't home or available or interested. Proverbs 22:6 says "train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." A father's influence is important in every way - spiritually, emotionally, physically. I know the Bible isn't talking about shaving but these bonding moments will shape our son's masculinity and hopefully he will pass wisdom and character onto his children one day. This is just one simple way my husband is training his boys. We bought Aaron his very own can of shaving cream and a razor and made a big deal about this special experience. One day Aaron will tire of this task but right now, Aaron declared he's going to shave every day! 

Nate is headed to a short mountain trip with four of his buddies tomorrow morning. They are going by themselves, no parental supervision. Yeah, I'm a little nervous. Ike has a few little pimples on his face and some suspicious emotional outbursts. 
My boys are growing up but I like most of the bittersweet changes.  

5 comments:

Denise said...

That's such a big deal! Wow - they're growing up TOO fast!!

Jenn said...

Haven't you figured out a way to stop time already? Mine's in a real bed, yours is shaving. Waaahhhhhh!

Anonymous said...

Too funny! Zack will want to do this now of course! I don't think he's ready yet... he is growing some hair under his armpits and is delighted :)
Anne (Zack's mom - he's the one who taught Aaron how to remove teeth with pens)

Bleucwo523 said...

Wow-I can't believe Aaron is shaving already!

Love Aunt Lorri

Amy Carroll said...

We've just done this little rite of passage, too. I think that Anson has decided that he like to do it just about as much as I like to shave my legs. It was fun at first, but it's wearing thin! Love it that our boys are friends.

Amy