Keaton beats to a different drum.

My youngest son, Keaton, has his very own and unique rhythm about him. One that use to worry me, but now which I embrace wholeheartedly.

For example, last week on a day off of school we took a fun day to the beach with friends. He had been hounding me for weeks that I had promised to take him before school started and I had not fulfilled my word. After the 1000th time, I gave in and off we went.

His main motive was to try out his new fishing rod in the ocean,a new experience for him. So after a few minutes with the other kids in the ocean, he headed off to the pier in the distance. The other four kids with us followed suite. After several hours the other mom and I set off to the pier to see what they were doing. 45 min later we reached the pier and found the four friends on their way back, but no Keaton. They had left him a couple hours before when one of them got mad because Keaton would not let him use his pole. (he had called said person the night before and told him he would be fishing and that he should bring his own pole.) We headed back hoping he would make his way back soon. By the time we had reached our spot, I had began to get worried, only because it was 3:15 and I had told Keaton we would be leaving at 3.
At 3:30 I received a call from Keaton, he had borrowed someone's phone, to find out which lifeguard station we were at. He arrived at 4:00, due to a change from state to city beach the life guard stations we out of order, and so he had to stop and ask further directions from a lifeguard. I know the person I was with was flabbergasted at the whole situation, something she would never condone, and politely she stated that at least I wouldn't have to worry about him being a follower......but the truth was that I was so proud of him, not only had he gone against the grain, something that would have bothered me earlier, by doing what he wanted and standing up for himself, but he had been so resourceful in taking care of himself and getting himself where he needed to be.
Since I have let go of the criteria of what I want for him, I have seen the uniqueness that is him. Keaton is hardheaded and black and white, but he is also the kindest person I know, with a great ability to succeed in any avenue he wishes and extremely resourceful. And when I allow him to follow his own path he flourishes, he has already found a friend very similar to himself who he connects with.....without my intervention:)