A Letter to My Son on His 18th Birthday

Words are powerful. The words a parent has for a child are especially powerful.

I have friends that write letters to their children on each of their birthdays; a stack of letters to be opened on the child's 18th birthday. I have other friends who write an annual letter and put it in a scrapbook with photos of yearly highlights.

We have a tradition that emerged in our family (sorry, Nate, I wish we would have had this great idea before you left home), that when a child turns 18 he invites people to a party -- people who have influenced him in his growing up years to adulthood. The party guests could include a teacher, coach, youth pastor, camp counselor, etc.

We have a sit-down dinner and then several people address the birthday honoree.

They speak words. Words of encouragement. Words of blessing. Words of power. Words of life purpose. Words of advice.

These are my words.

A Letter To My Son On His 18th Birthday

Zachary Jon Hartke,

you came into the world on January 21, 1995

weighing 10# 11oz and 23 inches long!

After such a big entry, you would think you would have continued

 to make a loud presence known to the world,

but you were a happy child, quiet and gentle,

born with an innate kindness and a grateful heart.

(You said "thank you" for everything.)

You were the youngest in a busy, growing family,

content to follow others,

to join in family adventures,

or just plain, dad adventures

and to join the plans and schemes of older brothers and sisters.

You grew up, constantly surrounded by people and activity,

with a strong legacy of family, fun and faith.

One by one your siblings grew up and left home to follow their own dreams.

As you grew older you weren't content to be in anyone's shadow anymore.

You wanted to be known as your own person.

You didn't want your age to hold you back.

At 15, you went to Uganda for a month.

At 16, you went to Mozambique.

From ages 16-18,

you were the drum major of the Chandler High Wolf Pack Marching Band.

We saw a desire grow in you to do hard things,

to pursue excellence,

to make deep friendships,

to be a leader among peers,

to show compassion to others,

to discover faith lived out,

and strength of moral integrity,

with courage of conviction,

and a sense of Godly purpose.

To Zachary,

a young man who now casts

his own tall shadow,

We are proud of you and love you.

Happy 18th Birthday!

Love, 

Mom

What words have had power in your life?