Have I Told You About Hays Lately?

I just felt like I needed to take a moment to brag on my oldest son.  He is in the stage where he seems to get "left out" of some things because he is older or working or whatever.  I just want to put down into words how proud I am of him.

He's amazing!  This year he has been interning at a bike and ski and snow board shop and he has learned so much.  I'm excited for all of the "technical" stuff he has been learning, but I am so proud of the values he's learned.  It has been a tough year.  He isn't getting paid and he is doing whatever small job they ask him to do.  He has to work after school and he has to work one day on the weekend.  It would be on these weekend days that I would be so proud of him because we would have to drop him off at work on our way to the mountain to go snow boarding or sledding or whatever fun family adventure we were off to.  That's hard.  He is 14 years old.  He is not getting paid.  But he went to work while we played and usually he went without complaining.

I just had his parent teacher conferences.  The teachers called me in for conferences because they didn't want their "good students" to be overlooked.  So, I got to sit in his classroom for thirty minutes while they bragged on my son.  It was wonderful!  They told me about what a great student he is and about what a gifted writer he is.  They told me that they haven't seen an eighth grader with such insight into the things they were teaching.  They think he seems to have deep and beyond-his-years insight into ideas in science, social studies, humanities, English and writing.  They raved about him!

Andy came home the other night just blown away by Hays's brains!  Apparently they were in a book store several weeks ago and Hays picked up the book, "The Great Convergence."  So, he and Andy were in the car and Hays gave Andy a 20 minute "book report" on all he learned from this book.  Andy said it was so well thought out and mature.  He was blown away (and therefore so am I).  Here is a description of the book that my 14 year old CHOSE to read:

The twenty-first century has seen a rise in the global middle class that brings an unprecedented convergence of interests and perceptions, cultures and values. Kishore Mahbubani is optimistic. We are creating a new global civilization. Eighty-eight percent of the world's population outside the West is rising to Western living standards, and sharing Western aspirations. Yet Mahbubani, one of the most perceptive global commentators, also warns that a new global order needs new policies and attitudes.

Policymakers all over the world must change their preconceptions and accept that we live in one world. National interests must be balanced with global interests. Power must be shared. The U.S. and Europe must cede some power. China and India, Africa and the Islamic world must be integrated. Mahbubani urges that only through these actions can we create a world that converges benignly. This timely book explains how to move forward and confront many pressing global challenges.

Hays is so dear to me.  Lately he has been so sensitive to me and my emotional needs.  I have found him up in my room with me while I've been thinking (or pouting) about different things going on in my life.  He has listened when he needed to listen.  He has held me while I cried.  He has given good advice when advice has been needed.  He loves me and I know that.

I am so blessed to have this young man (little baby boy) in my life.  I'm thankful for him.  I admire him.  I love him.  I'm proud of him.

So, here's to you, Hays.  I love you more than you could ever imagine!!!