Today Roy David Meharg is 21.
The morning Roy was born, the eggs in the cardinal nest in the hanging fern on the back porch hatched. Chirp. Chirp. Chirp. Cardinals have a very distinctive chirp.
Ever since, when I hear a cardinal chirp and I think of Roy.
Roy was born with Cheeto dust-colored red hair. He was so quiet. He has remained, generally, quiet these past 21 years. He was exceedingly shy until we took a six-month field trip to Poland during which he turned seven.
In Poland, the children are free to roam, to go places and do things around town- ALONE! It was hard, but part of the reason we went to Poland was to explore new ways of doing and being. Roy, Josiah, and Peter made their way to the grocery stores, bakeries, and to the market by themselves. 
The freedom and responsibility transformed Roy from crippling shyness into a confident person. Or maybe he turned seven and outgrew it.
Today is Saturday. Tomorrow Roy gets married.
David and were twenty when we married thirty-six years ago on December 20th. I was twenty-one on January 3rd. So, basically the same age. We had no idea how young we truly were.
Regardless, then or now, starting out in life is hard. Starting out alone is harder. I am thankful Roy is not going it alone. But, he was never alone. Roy has been blessed with a family who loves him.
Happy Birthday, Roy.
You are loved.
