Saturday, June 4, 2011

What makes one kid want to party and another want to work?

Another graduation party this afternoon for Kyle's best buddy. Kyle's mom, her dad (my hubby) and I attended. You know where Kyle was? Up on a roof all day (doing a roofing job)and he refused to come down. He is the hardest working kid we know. 97 degrees and he'd rather work than play. It was 9:00 p.m. when we got home and there was Kyle sitting under a spotlight on the roof with the elderly owner. The old man and the young man having a heart-to-heart. I think Kyle is an old soul in a young body.

He feels different from his friends. Many eighteen year old classmates want to party and engage in risky behaviors. Kyle sees no point in it. He is goal-oriented. College in the fall. But this summer when most kids are transitioning, he has purchased a riding mower, wakes early to mow lawns and do roofing jobs. His goal is not money; it is WORK. He is driven to do manual labor. We predict he will own his own contracting business. We have predicted this from the time he was three years old and duct taping everything together to make his 'creations'. He received two scholarships, numerous awards.

Several moms were talking about their sons who all grew up together. A preschool boy entered the room and the women all said, "It seems so long ago that our boys were all that little."

I looked at them, smiled, and said, "To Grandpa and me, it seems like only yesterday."

Life seems to drag when you are in the middle of all the turmoil, but time flies when you get older. The years pass way too quickly.

The old buzzard and this old hen have a good brood. We are proud of all of the kids and grandkids.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

oh, Linda...how true is this post! When I was in the middle of it all, sometimes feeling like I was not going to hold it together...it seemed like it was never going to end...and then, one morning I woke to an empty nest and wondered how it happened. Now as a Granny, I know too well how fast the time goes and how precious each and every step and milestone is! Great post, you have a wonderful ,hardworking grandson who is going to be successful in whatever he does!

Sioux Roslawski said...

Kyle seems like he's an exemplary young man. Hardworking. Dependable. A real gem!

You're right about time flying by at our age. Don't blink until tomorrow, because once you blink, summer will be over!

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Some kids value their own accomplishments. Other kids get their worth from how many friends they have, and who they are seen with.

Basking in reflected glory, I suppose.

Unknown said...

Time does certainly fly especially when I look at my oldest daughter who is 42 now. It is so rewarding when we see a child or grandchild showing value for their lives and time.

Southhamsdarling said...

So very true Linda. Time is passing far too quickly now that we are grandparents. That Kyle is one very special young man, and deserves to do well. Quite unusual in one so young to want to be working like that all the time. I admire him tremendously. He will make a very good husband and dad at some time in the future.

Tammy said...

Teenagers get a bad rap, but like any people, some are so amazing. Congratulation to Kyle, and to you for being solidly in place at his roots.

Bookie said...

Kyle does indeed sound like a special fellow. These days it is hard to find a worker at any age. I love it that he is goal oriented too when so many others are goaless.

Susan Fobes said...

Kyle has a good head on his shoulders!

Chatty Crone said...

It goes so fast at times my neck hurts from watching it go by!