Monday, April 11, 2016

Special Moments



                                 I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today.  
            Thanks to Stacey, Tara, Anna, Betsy, Dana, Kathleen, Beth, and Deb, we keep going!


Be sure to go here to Michelle Barne's post at Today's Little Ditty for line number twelve of Irene Latham's Progressive Poem.
Yikes, my line is tomorrow!


        A special slice of my life happened last weekend, on Saturday night specifically. My grandson Carter received his Eagle Scout award, something he has spent years working toward. I am very proud of him, and know how proud my husband would be if he were still with us. Arvie was an avid Scout, earned his Eagle award too, and continued as a volunteer and Scoutmaster for many years. My son also is an Eagle Scout and now works as the head of a Scout council. 
        Carter lived near to us since birth, lucky us, and moved with his parents when he was in fourth grade. I am fortunate to see them often. My husband and I kept Carter a lot as a baby and toddler, but began traveling overnight with him when he was about five. We stayed in state for a few years, but then traveled farther when he was older. Recently, with his family and my daughter's too, we travel to the Gulf each year. It is a pleasure to be with all of them, and Carter is a traveler extraordinaire, so loving to his young cousins who adore him, helpful navigating the airports and the roads. He completed his Eagle project in Costa Rica, working with a school and Scouts there to rehabilitate buildings into re-cycle centers for a park. As I said, he is a traveler. 


         As many say, it takes a village to raise a child, so I'm proud of Carter's parents, too, thank them and the relatives, family friends, Scout family, and his school who are all there to care about this young man, my dear grandson.   

Here is a poem I wrote about Carter when he turned 13, and it fits today too.

Oops, it's time. I must depart
     from this boy who stole my heart.
     Now, he's looking very tall
     and never plays with toys at all.
     I remember he used to be
     the one who sat and read with me
     and held my hand as we walked along
     and listened while I sang him songs.
     I also know although he's grown,
     he's still the little boy I've known.
                    Linda Baie, All Rights Reserved

In The Rockies


First trip to Sanibel Island
Last year - Captiva Island.
Last Saturday, giving his Eagle speech.

38 comments:

  1. Oh Linda! Congrats to Carter! As the Mama of 2 boys, this post especially moved me. I'm sure it's my "allergies" that are causing all the stinging in my eyes...May Carter have many more celebrations ahead. Thanks for sharing these beautiful moments.

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    1. Thank you, Kendra. What a wonderful weekend it was!

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  2. Dear Linda, what a special thing to see this child you've loved grow into an Eagle Scout! My family was very into scouting, and my brother also earned his Eagle... congratulations to Carter, and to you, for sharing in this lovely experience with Carter... thank you for sharing it with us! xo

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    1. Thank you, Irene, it was indeed a wonderful time to see Carter's special evening, and so grown up!

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  3. I'm so glad you shared this proud slice of life! Time does pass to quickly, you have so many wonderful memories and your poem captures the essence of his special time with you.

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    1. Thank you! Time does move fast, and I want to capture as many as I can!

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  4. Such terrific memories! Thanks for sharing! <3

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  5. Love this! We agree - he's one special young man!

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  6. WOW! What a great moment in your rich relationship with Carter. How lucky it is for both of you to have each other.
    I'm grinning!
    Bonnie

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    1. Thanks, Bonnie, it was indeed a wonderful moment.

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  7. Being a mom to boys, who've had loving grandparents close by, I hold memories of these kind of moments too. Your post has shared your life and let me touch mine.

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    1. I'm happy about this connection, Julieanne. Thanks for telling me!

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  8. Dear Linda, this post over me so. I hope I get to write one just like it about my grandson Lucas one day. So much love is expressed in your poem.

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    1. Thank you Bernadette, I'm sure you will write one too. Grandchildren are the best!

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  9. Linda, what a great accomplishment for Carter and your entire family. Earning this award says loads about the person he is and the family that shaped him. Congratulations to you all.

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    1. Thank you, I think we're all part of it, too, but Carter carried it through.

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  10. Linda, so glad you were there to share in this special occasion! I love the poem and especially your last two lines:
    "I also know although he's grown,
    he's still the little boy I've known."
    It reminds me of the story "Eleven" where we are reminded that inside us are layers of all the years we've celebrated. I love the pics, but especially the one of Arvie and Carter.

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    1. Thank you, Ramona, it was a very special weekend. You're so right, all those layers!

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  11. How wonderful for you to have this young man in your life. Thanks for sharing these memories.
    Like Ramona I love the last lines of your poem,
    I also know although he's grown,
    he's still the little boy I've known
    This is how I feel about my own boys who are now past 30.

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    1. We all do remember those little child years, don't we, Cheriee? Thank you.

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  12. I'm so excited that your grandson earned his Eagle Award. What an honor for him and for your entire family. Congratulations to everyone, especially Carter!

    Jennifer

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer, he has worked very hard to earn it!

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  13. Congratulations to Carter! Honor and joy, proud moment indeed. How wonderful that you were able to be there to celebrate this important event in Carter's life.

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  14. My husband was an Eagle Scout. It meant a lot to him. I didn't have any boys, so we didn't pass on the tradition. Maybe grandchildren? This post shows your undying love and admiration for Carter. He is lucky to be your grandson.

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    1. Thanks Margaret, and congratulations to your husband!

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  15. Linda - How very nice to see him grow into such a fine young man! That was a great poem to honor him! Let him know want to say congrats! Nice Job!

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  16. I cried when I read this! Congratulations to all of you!

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    1. Thank you, Carol. I appreciate that you were touched.

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  17. Linda, what a long history of Eagle Scouting exists in your family. Service learning is such dedicated work and your grandson sounds like he is a determined and caring young person. I am sure that last weekend was such a high point in your family's life. Congratulations to Carter.

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    1. Thanks, Carol, Yes, he is a wonderful young man.

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  18. Reading your post made me teary. Hug.

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  19. Linda: This is very special and brings tears to my eyes. Congratulations to you and your family on this milestone. You must be very very proud. Love the poem.

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    1. Thanks, Karen, indeed it was a special time.

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