TJ2005 copy

He’s quiet with a quick, easy laugh and a kind heart.
He’s easy to love.
You want to protect him
and at the same time,
you want to help him soar.
Sometimes the two desires conflict.

Artwork2005 copy

He makes art – good art –
and while he might not paint or sculpt
right this very year,
what he learned in art classes
will stay with him and serve him well.
Always.

TJ2006a copy

He’s finishing up college,
and taking his new career by storm,
making me very proud of the young man he’s becoming.
He’s a sponge, soaking up life,
learning,
working,
making,
laughing,
loving,
trying,
trying again,
coming,
going,
stumbling,
getting back up,
looking,
wondering,
deciding,
changing,
keeping,
creating,
doing,
not doing,
getting ahead and figuring out what that means to him.

TJCanada0706b copy

He’s wandering, staying,
wanting, waiting
accepting, excepting
asking, doubting,
seeking, searching.

TJ2015a

His name is T.J.
He is my nephew
and today is his birthday.
Seems like it was just yesterday
when I was tapping the glass
at the hospital nursery.