Day 305 of 365 ~

305/365 ~ The hardest part of raising a child is teaching them to ride bicycles. A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard. ~Sloan Wilson

Yesterday my sister and her husband witnessed the swearing in of their oldest son as a US Marine Recruit. I can only imagine the emotions they must be going through right now. As a parent, surely you feel pride knowing your child has grown into a man strong enough to make a decision to defend his country. At the same time, we are in a war in a foreign country that has no foreseeable end and that same brave son could at some point be put in harm's way. Their support is going to be needed by Brett now more than ever. The training wheels are off; now we stand back and cheer (with held breath, fingers crossed and a prayer in our hearts!)