The Torch Has Been Passed

I have been thinking a lot about my daughter's blog post about my nephew Lucas, you know the last one I stole from her.  In meditating on this I have come to realize that however unintentionally the torch of man of the family has seemed to pass to this young man.  Not that I think it is out of anyone's expectations but that he has stepped up and is in the process of assuming the roll.  His uncles had probably a bigger influence on him than I imagine any of us realize.  I also believe he was affected by their deaths more than even those of us who think we have a good idea, will ever know.  I am seeing great maturity in this young man in the last few months.  He is the one who, even though we kinda joke about it, will say "text me when you get there" when any of us are traveling.  This is the child that about every week to ten days calls out of the blue just to say hello and I love you.  I am not even sure he realizes that he has stepped up but I am seeing more and more signs of it.  I am proud of him and think he may very well be on his way to becoming the man of the family.