Editorial: Suddenly, the boy has become a grown up

October 19, 2006, was a day that changed our family’s lives forever. It was a Thursday, specifically chosen to not interfere with the production or delivery of the Enterprise while also allowing us to have the most time possible for what was coming.

Benjamin Allen Homer Estlack had stolen our hearts before he arrived. It was as if we already knew him whether it was from us talking to him frequently or him developing a little kicking rhythm anytime we planned Santana’s “Supernatural” CD. His personality was evident early, and it only became more prominent as time progressed.

He had a big name to live up to, and live up to it he did. Those gleaming blue eyes that could only have come from my father and my wife’s grandmother shone with mirth and mischief. Soon he was talking and walking, and keeping up became a challenge. His personality matured early. In many ways, he’s been a 40-something-year-old man ever since he was about four years old.

Friends and family told us how fast it would all go by and to enjoy the years we had because soon enough he would be grown and gone.

We got a little taste of that this week. Sunday afternoon, he and his buddy took off for Lubbock and spent all day Monday on the Texas Tech campus. We’re not even halfway through the senior year, and we got just the slightest hint of what it will look like for him to be off to college. We don’t want to rush it, but we took pride in knowing that he’s ready and able to stand on his own.

This Saturday is another milestone – his 18th birthday. Even though he’s been a man in many ways for a long time now, society says this date will make it official. He’s got his voter’s registration card and ready to wield it in November. He’s got a job, he has good friends, and he’s enjoying the semi-independence that comes with being “grown” while still going to high school.

As I sat down to write this column, I came across an old camera card filled with memories from when Ben was just a couple of years old. He’s changed so much in many ways, but in all the ways that count, he’s still our little boy. His sense of humor has matured – somewhat – and is still curious and creative. You never know what he’s going to do or say. It seems like just yesterday he was building things with Tinker Toys. Now, you might find him working in the backyard on a homemade project that splits hydrogen from water molecules. Ask him why he wants to study aerospace engineering, and he’s likely to credit watching The Backyardigans as a child. He’s a man but still that kid at heart.

He has a clear sense of right and wrong, a commitment to fairness, and a willingness to speak up for what he believes. He’s all we ever wanted in a son, and he’s a great brother, friend, worker, and big cousin. We couldn’t be prouder of him – the kid and the man – for all he does, all he stands for, and all he hopes to be.

Mom and I love you, son. Dream no little dreams, then go make them come true.