Marking Manhood

My boys. How quickly they have grown. And I was concerned they would fall off the horse. . .now we have weapons.

Sarah and Gray Gray welcome little Boo! Sarah was hoping for a sister:)

Marking manhood in the Micu home usually involves weapons! Jonathan prefers more unconventional weapons and is enjoying a new bow set. The last one he received was a bit too manly - he'll have to hit 18 perhaps!

When the boys have turned 13 we have then sent them into the wild with their weapon of choice to hunt, kill and provide food for their party that evening. Ok, not really but it sounded cool. Jon's favorite food is pizza, but Paul did feel the manly thing to do was to BBQ - so burgers and dogs it was! (hotdogs, that is.) The fathers of his closest friends and significant men in Jonthan's life enjoyed gourmet burgers and then it was fireside time. The fire pit installed in time for Josh's big 13 was lit and the men enjoyed time around the pit as the older men ushered Jonathan into manhood. I'm not part of that time. The girls and little Joe hung out inside getting the birthday dessert ready - dirt cake complete with gummy worms.

Paul reported it was a special time and I don't doubt our boys will remember the evening that marked their manhood. Why 13? It's just an age we have chosen to officially mark the end of childhood and the entering of manhood. I've always enjoyed the line from the movie Courageous - "when did you know you were a man?" The one response - "when my dad said I was." Many chose other ages. Age 16 with the acquisition of a driver's license, age 14 entering high school, etc. However, we noticed that the ntertainment industry marks the age 13. Children's meals and tickets and reduced prices are for those 12 and under. There is not a teenage price. You are a child or an adult. The rest of the society has difficulty with out this plays out - allowing for young men to remain children in their thinking and actions until way past 13.

Manhood. The training takes on a new urgency. My son's role to provide, protect, care and lead is called out. He is to sacrifice. He is to serve. He is to submit. He will be called to suffer. He is to put off childish ways and embrace becoming a man. As a Mama, this is huge. Moms struggle to let their boys become men and often handicap them in their manhood, keeping them their "baby boys" far too long.

We were thrilled on September 21, 2000  - a Thursday - to welcome a baby boy into our home. Joining 3 year old Sarah and big brother, Joshua (18months) it was a joy to have our Boo-Boo. Jonathan was unexpected. In fact, having to take some medicines early in the year, I was given a pregnancy test prior and told it was negative. So, not having avoided hot tubs, snow skiing and other dangerous activities our Boo Boo was born.

Of all births, the day of Jon's was the most relaxing. Due to contractions on and off in the morning, Paul came home and the two little ones went with family. We enjoyed lunch out, time to wash cars and afternoon nap before leaving for the hospital around 4:30. We even stopped by a friend's home to have a photo taken:). Jon's birth and delivery were uneventful. A beautiful son.

A week later that beautiful boy had a 105 fever and was being rushed to Children's Hospital. . .what a time. While we know each child is a blessing and gift from God to be enjoyed for the time He allows, this cemented our faith in our Sovereign Lord. If we only had Jonathan a week it was enough and God was good. The meningitis left a toll - hearing loss and seizures. Speech therapy. Learning struggles. But we were allowed to enjoy our son 13 more years - a precious gift. His role in our family is unique. Laughter, wit, humor, creativity, intelligence, musical. . .sound like Paul?! Jon is his father's son.While Josh shares many other aspects of his father, Jonathan is the closest in personality leading to interesting conflicts at times between these two "show stoppers." If Jon is gone, the house seems dull and quiet. What would I do without all his inventions on my counter. He loves making treasures from trash.

Jonathan Samuel Micu. Named not only for the two outstanding men in the Bible but for the two oldest uncles on both sides of the family. Paul's oldest brother Samuel and my older brother Jonathan. May he continue to grow into men like these.

Enjoying his special day!