The Civilizing Effect of Women

For years now, Carson might have been best described as Philip and Joshua’s immature friend. Carson’s awkwardness was always announcing itself in some way. He would be the one who could be counted upon to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. When Philip and Joshua would be settling down, Carson would be unable to sit still. When Philip and Joshua were trading jokes, Carson would stumble over himself to throw in something funny but never seemed to hit the mark. In an attempt to get the attention of Debbie, Katie or any of the other girls, he would try acting effeminate and could not understand why his efforts had no positive impact.

An Emotionally-Healthy Non-Dating Friendship

It was morning break at Hermes Middle. As students exited their classrooms the campus quickly transformed from a quiet, serene set of buildings into an eruption of activity and movement. Chloe navigated from her classroom to her favorite break-time hang-out spot with kids walking in both directions. She walked forward as if on auto-pilot, saving her mental energy for the bantering that would be happening soon once she settled in her favorite spot with her friends.

Less a Child but not More an Adult

We still have the digital photos from hosting Philip and his peers for a party at our house two summers ago. Three then-fifteen-year-old boys Philip, Joshua and Kevin were lined up on all fours. Then-thirteen-year-olds Debbie and Katie got on top of them, and finally with the help of Chloe and Ashley, tween Abby got on top to form a pyramid. There were plenty of smiles, laughs and snapping cameras.