“In a game like Monopoly, you have to adhere to a strict set of rules. Wait your turn to roll the dice. Pay your dues when you land on Park Place. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. In life however, you have a little more latitude. You choose your path. You choose your job. Right down to your disposition. You make decisions by the truckload. Weakening or strengthening your character every step of the way. What you eat. When you sleep. Who you spend time with. The thoughts you select. The freedoms are seemingly limitless. Which is why it’s important to set boundaries for yourself. Jocko says it best. Discipline equals freedom. Stop waiting for others to tell you the rules. And create some of your own.”
Today my son turned 17. He is our second son (of 4), and the first to turn 17. It was a bit of a landmark, since his big brother didn’t make it past 16.
For his birthday gift, I offered to take him and his siblings to a water park. He turned me down (to his brothers’ disappointment), and instead asked if we could work on clearing out his big brother’s room so that he can have his own room.
It’s something I’ve avoided doing for the last 3 years. I just wasn’t ready. But today, as I plowed in and started moving boxes and clothes, I discovered I was more than ready. I was even ready to throw away a good amount of stuff. I have finally separated my intense love and longing for Nathan and the ‘things’ that once belonged to him.
Surprisingly, it was an enjoyable day. There was plenty of discovery – Nathan’s silver coins, his hand-carved/homemade walking sticks, and more. (All of which went in the ‘keep’ pile.) I also discovered a drawer in which Nathan he had saved various articles of clothing from age 5 and up that were his ‘favorites’. I think I’ll have someone make a quilt out of them, or something along that line.
If you were reading this wondering when I was going to get to the part about adhering to my own set of rules, sorry to disappoint you. I guess one of my rules is that if I can’t think of something in 60 seconds to write about on the assigned topic for the day, I will write about whatever is relevant to me at the moment. So that’s what I did today.
Happy Birthday, Joshua. I love you. I miss your brother, but I’m so glad you are still with us and growing into the young man of character that you are. Here’s to an awesome 18th year!