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