Socratic Dragon

 What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been. June 12 graduation, followed by parties, work, and preparation for the Army focusing on July 6. That day came and went with tears and smiles. He made it. The long journey of childhood to teen entered a new phase to manhood. We knew that our boy needed to mature and the military would help him become the man he needs to be. Off he went with visions of basic training in his head.  Tuesday July 7 we got a final text at 10pm that he was almost at Fort Benning. We thought that would be our last contact for a few weeks. On Wednesday July 8, I sent him an I love you text that I assumed he would see in a few weeks. The evening of Thursday 7/9 I was shocked to see a response to my text. Although he tested negative for Covid he was near a positive and had to go to isolation so he would have his phone for the next 14 days. Those days were beautiful. We talked on the phone at least once a day and snap chatted often. God provides what we ne...

It's been 8 days since Artillery boy left for the Army. The emotional roller coaster has slowed down but I'm still on the ride. On Thursday 7/9 he tested negative but a nearby fellow recruit tested positive so off he went for 14 day isolation. I have him coming out of isolation on Thursday 7/23 if he tests negative. He thinks he will be moving to Basic when his 7/7 11x group ships on Friday 7/24. Artillery boy is down to single digits in isolation. Today, 7/15, makes it only 9 to go. We don't know how things are going to work once he is out but he is ready to be on the move. He has watched all of the Harry Potter movies along with a few other series. I think he is going to try to hook up with some online Call of Duty. The letting go has gotten easier as I talk with him each day. I know he has to grow up. He has to become an honest and courageous man.  The Army will help him.

Socratic-of or relating to Socrates specifically how he taught. How did he teach? He would ask clarifying questions, to dig into an issue searching to understand a thing more deeply. Socrates was a pagan so he did not have the Truth. With Jesus the word became flesh and Truth was known. However Dante believed that Socrates was a virtuous pagan. He bumped up against truth but without Jesus he could not arrive at the final destination. Dragons- "Fairy tales do not give the child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of the bogey. The baby has known the dragons intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon."-G.K. Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles I want to slay modern dragons with wit and  wisdom , with intellect and love. It is a hard thing for me. I am more of a St. George kinda gal. To wear a sword and fight evil is more my speed. Sure I c...

I must let go so he can do what he has been created to do. Over the past few years I have been letting go little by little while also supporting Artillery guy through many challenges and experiences. When he traveled to Europe for a ski camp, his money card didn't work so we had to figure out how to wire money via Western Union. He figured it out. Then there were the girl problems. An early romance left his tender heart bruised and it remains hurt to this day. Artillery boy was always a whimsical boy living between the real world and some fantasy planet. That first love that broke his heart, also broke his spirit. He dug himself into a hole and had to work for a few years to get back out. As much as I liked each of his girlfriends, it is time to go off and work on himself. He needs to grow and become a man. The Army may make him stronger and self reliant. We shall see. Especially with Covid changes, I am happy that he is getting a head start in the Army. I did get my hug and te...

We are getting down the last few days before Artillery boy heads out. As his final week winds down he took a trip with friends to Old Orchard Beach. Today, Friday, he is completing his final step of the restorative justice mentorship with Chief Moorhead. All things are coming together. As for me...After my melt down at 3 am on Tuesday, I felt better. This is what we raised him for. I remember days upon days of slaying dragons with Artillery boy, we read history together especially the ancient world, and recited the presidential timeline. Our neighbor, Carol, used to love watching me throw 2 yo Artillery boy into the air while repeating the presidents. It was a great party trick. I don't know if he loved it, but we did it. The last few years have been a struggle. I blame the braces but who knows. The other day he began talking about trying to make it onto Delta Force. Let's focus on getting through basic training first. My heart walks around He is part of me Forgive my...