I was thirteen years old. Being self-conscious was a full-time job. ~The Wonder Years, "The Pimple," 1989, written by David M. Stern and Todd W. Langen [S3, E8, Narrator Kevin]

Oliver turns thirteen today. Another teenager in the Davis household….

This quote reminds me of all those teenage feelings….teetering between unwarranted and irrational confidence and self-doubt and self-consciousness.

As a parent, you watch your children as they go through these changes and difficulties and wish you could get through to them about what is important and what isn’t.

For the most part though it seems to be that they are destined to learn on their own and in their own ways.

In my more mature moments, I try to relearn these lessons myself.

To forget about worrying about myself and think of others first.

To not worry about the small stuff.

To focus on love and being loving towards the important people in my life.

Even after all these years, I’ve still got a lot to learn.

Lucky for me, God sent me three great kids to learn from (and a wonderful wife, of course).

Make it a great day.

Jake