Basic At Seventeen
He's tall, He's buff,
He's strong, and he's tough
on the outside,
this grandson of mine,
teetering on the edge of manhood
at seventeen.
He's up early today,
3 AM to be exact.
Not his usual practice.
This day looked forward to
worked for and suddenly dreaded.
He's only seventeen.
Too soon its 4 AM.
He's ready.
Jacket, jeans, very small bag
minimum necessities
short cropped hair.
We go outside with him
waiting for his ride
in the summer predawn darkness.
Solar lights cast
their starburst
lights on the driveway and lawn.
The birds have just begun their
insistent chirping high in the trees.
Car lights at the end of the street.
His ride is here.
Short quick hug.
Bye Gramma.
Longer hugs for Mom and Dad.
He's only seventeen.
Sergeant Robinson has his
Orders,
will take him to the airport,
drop him off with money for meals.
He will catch his first flight alone
Without the security of parents
or grandparents,
At the age of seventeen.
The Sergeant exchanges pleasantries
with us, gives
Grant his orders.
We, his parents
and grandma,
watch as the lights
disappear
down the street,
taking our pride and joy
on the first leg of his quest
to serve our country,
at the age of seventeen.
The house lately filled with happy
laughter,
conversation
and a fruitless hunt for his glasses,
is suddenly too quiet again.
We are already anticipating
his return after Basic is completed.
One very large step into manhood.
He'll be stronger, confident, mature
He will have survived Shark Attack and
Basic Training , Drill Sergeants,
and his first birthday without his parents,
this newly minted Private VanTassel,
of the United States Army Reserve.
Prayers will follow him every day
for safety and success.
When he returns home, full of stories
at which we will laugh together,
he'll be another step closer to manhood
at the age of eighteen.
We're proud of you, Grant.
We love you.
