The time I spent filling little bags with candy for the cast members was in the living room. I like to be near Ben, even if we are doing separate things. I think it is called parallel play. It did not occur to me that he was really watching me, although that is ridiculous considering his relationship with sugar. 

The next day his brother invited him on his weekly grocery shopping run, and Ben came home with candy. Lots of it. 

"It's for my buddies!" He was pleased. 

Not being inclined to sewing he found plastic bags and divvied up sweets evenly. He is all about the evenly. Monday arrived and as he was getting ready for school I handed him the cash for a field trip. 

"Today you go bowling," I reminded him. But he was more concerned with getting the candy bags just so in his backpack. Then he thought of something. 

"It might melt!" I assured him it was not that hot of a day and it would be fine. When all was ready he gathered up the twelve dollars for his trip. 

At church this week there was a commissioning service, in which people who have taken training classes for six months were invited to be Stephen Ministers. It is an effort to give support to people experiencing the "white waters of providence". Benjamin's older brother was among those being commissioned. Watching him stand up there was one of those moments I will hold close forever, to take out on a stormy day. The priest leading the service invited anyone who has already taken the training to stand and be acknowledged. I stood. 

So did Benjamin. 

He tries to catch on to what is expected of him. And if standing is what we are doing, he's in. 

I smiled. He may not have clocked the hours with a manual, but he does have his own ministry.