What does a 17 year old wish for when more years lie ahead than they can comprehend? When potential and opportunity are things they hear daily that they have to maximize. When they are told to dream big, seize the day and anything is possible. How does a 17 year old hold all these ideas and ideals, hold their dreams and those of their parents and plan for a future that is seemingly limitless? What does a 17 year old wish for when every wish counts?

I don’t know what Lucas wished for but I know what I wish for him. I wish to unburden him of our expectations, even some of his own. I wish him friends that provide the validation and support he needs on his successful, goal-achieving days and his insecure and doubt-ridden days. I wish him balance between achievement and contentment, between joy and sadness, between others and himself, between sailing far and staying rooted. I wish him to know how others see him because if he truly knew he’d never doubt his relationships, he’d never question his purpose and he’d know the impact of his generous, warm heart. To my Lucas, for your 17th year, I wish you a year that is fulfilling, challenging, interesting, inspiring, dynamic, rewarding and rich with love and possibility. Your dreams are your own and yes anything is possible, of your making.