I am proud of my oldest son.  He has been dealing with a distant relative of sorts who, after ignoring him for six months, has recently been attempting to hold him partially, erroneously  responsible for their distance.  He has held is ground, unwavering in his position and recognized his autonomy.  He has thought out each response, each reply and measured his reaction to their folly.  He has come both to his father and I for advice and I have offered him the tools with which to think for himself.  It was a difficult thing to answer when we asked, "Mom, is life always going to be this hard?"  And I had to answer him honestly.  I could not deny him the truth that life is full of obstacles and heartache and frustration.  But I was able to say too, that in knowing how to handle life's curve balls, you can better determine the ease with which you transition through it.  In the end he hugged me, told me he loved me, and I had to let a bit more of the baby faced boy go.  He is growing up.