transforming

This morning our neighbors came by to check in with us about Ray, since he's off at his mom's for a couple days (she's out of town, but has high speed internet). It was an interesting conversation, one that Ray had specifically asked us to have, but didn't want to be around for. Our neighbor, Mirror, has been taking a sort of mentoring role in Ray's life, and wanted to check in about some details. Specifically, details involving a ceremony to mark Ray's transitioning from boy to man. I'm not going to share those details, the important part is that this is something Ray wants to do, and is excited about, and wants his parents to know about and be okay with but not really Involved with. I'm utterly charmed.

According to Mirror, Ray's mom was less charmed at the idea that she didn't get to be a part of the ceremony - which had both George and Mirror snorting "Yeah, like anyone wants his Mommy at his Manhood ceremony". I can feel a little compassion for poor mom, there, but at the same time, I'm soooooooooo amazed and impressed and honored just to have Ray want me/us know whats going on with him. Its so very different from the "normal" teenage boy thang, iykwim.

In addition to Big changes, there seem to be a hundred little changes a day. He's craving work and focus and artistic expression. His jewelry making has been shifting from pounding metal to delicate beadwork. He's playing bass daily and even picking up a guitar now and then. He's talking less and cogitating more. He's thinking about thinking - starting to explore the intricacies of his own processes and reactions. His bigger, cosmic thoughts are starting to have more to do with himself as a spiritual entity than the existance of god(s).

I'm so very glad that Mirror is right here, available to Ray and to us during this time. Its so perfect that he has an adult he trusts and can talk about anything with - even those things that would be sort of uncomfortable with his parents. Even moreso that its someone George and I can trust, too.