Another year has passed, and Caedmon is now eleven.  He’s the oldest and, therefore, the most responsible.  I’ve heard that’s how it’s supposed to be, and in this case, it really is true.  Maybe it’s just the nature of the fact that he’s older, maybe Bethany is as responsible as he was at eight.  I can’t really say for sure.

But, now, he is the one who likes to have his schedule figured out, and then methodically (sometimes hurriedly) goes about checking things off his to-do list (merely a mental list, most days).  He keeps tabs on his siblings…occasionally a bit too closely…and, as much as it affects him, tries to keep them on task.  He likes to know what to expect, excitedly anticipates any out-of-the-ordinary happenings, gets really disappointed when reality doesn’t meet expectations (I can’t imagine where he got that from), and is often planning his own elaborate play-time endeavors or hopeful ideas for family activities.  I rely on him for many things, and I mostly trust him to be conscientious in whatever he’s asked to do.

He loves family.  Our family, extended family, the idea of more siblings, and even his hopes for a large family of his own one day, all hold places of high importance in his heart.  He joyfully and affectionately cares for his youngest two sisters, and often asks when there will be another one.

He’s beginning to think more about the kind of person he should be, and why other people are the way they are, and how he can and should respond when life gets hard.  As often as not, when his weekly turn comes to stay up later for playtime and prayer time with Tim and me, his choice of activity is to simply sit with us and talk.  It’s sometimes serious, sometimes not, and I think there are still times when he keeps some of his deeper feelings to himself…perhaps for lack of understanding more than anything else…but it matters so much to me that he wants to talk and ask questions, and sometimes, just laugh with us.

I can see moments when it’s hard to keep that parent/child line clearly defined, and sometimes wonder where, exactly, it might okay for it to blur a bit.  Obviously, the day will come when our authority in his life will wane to a great degree and our relationship will look very different than it does now.  I imagine there is some process along the way, and we find ourselves slowly starting to figure that out with Caedmon (don’t worry, though, we are acutely aware of just how much these next several years require diligent direction, correction and wisdom).  For now, we are encouraged by his desire for the Lord, his willingness to ask hard questions and his genuine interest in serving the Lord with his life.

He is a blessing, in so many ways, and we take great joy in celebrating him today.