I gaze down at you
from my bleacher seat perch
with a sea of black square-top hats before me
and I pick you
out of the crowd
staying fixed on that one square hat
for you are my son
and my heart is set on you
This is a monumental moment
when the boy we raised
becomes an independent man
and I’m proud,
so proud,
but my emotions start to stir
for when I close my eyes
and open them again,
you are standing there with a white square hat
and my heart skips a beat
I can never convey to you
what raising you all these years
has meant to me, Arik,
and God’s heart for you
rests in me
for He put that love for you there
I thank Him,
with tears that words cannot express,
for allowing me
and your dad
to watch you all these years
become the man you were meant to be
I love you, Arik ❤
– Mama – Susie Stewart
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
– 3 John 4
Photos by Andy and Susie Stewart
Susie Stewart 
Hey Susie!
I’m loving your blog (followed!) but I would also like to invite you to submit a short piece to my own. I think your perspective and style of writing would be a perfect piece for my project.
It’d also be a great way to get your blog/writing out there.
Please feel free to email me (jennifer@youngandtwenty) with more questions, or take a look at the ‘BEING Young & Twenty’ page on my blog.
I hope I’ll hear from you 🙂
Jennifer
youngandtwenty.com
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I appreciate you following my blog and for your input! I leave in a couple of days to go to Uganda, so after I’ve returned I’ll contact you. Blessings!
Our hearts rejoice as our children grow into the people God has made them to be. All of mine have now graduated college and I get to enjoy the fruit of loving them and raising them. Blessings to Arik as he goes on to a new adventure.
Thank you for your kind message, Melanie. I have just started following your blog and look forward to hearing your heart in it.
You are right, our hearts do rejoice in the people God made our kids to be. Blessings on you and your family.
Thank you, Susie.
Congratulations – you all have done a beautiful job. God’s continued blessing upon you.
Thank you, Ellie! Blessings upon you as well.