I'm so thankful for my children. Growing up, my plans were always to be a wife and a mom. That's it. I felt so peculiar that I didn't want to have a "career". All my friends had things they wanted to do and I wanted to be mom. I'm definitely not the best mom, but I think I did okay. My whole life has been dedicated to my husband and to my kids only. I think that because this was my desire, God blessed us and I was able to be a stay at home mom through most of our family's life.
So...since I have a houseful of kids, I'm going to take a day for each one of them and I'll start with my firstborn son. He used to wear this little t-shirt that said #1 Son. He was such a cutie patootie (sorry son, I'm sure you just cringed here). He had the roundest blue eyes, the chubbiest cheeks ever, and a very grown up, serious disposition. Even as a baby, he didn't want to be hugged and kissed on very much, just a hug when he had accomplished something fantastic, and some snuggling right before bedtime.
As an infant, his dad and I prayed that God would bless our little boy and help us to be good parents to him. We knew then that all children are truly a gift from God, so with the responsibility of being caretakers of this little gift, we gave him to God and asked God's blessing on him. His dad had the privilege, during the nightly tucking in and prayers, to show him how that Christ could be his dearest friend and Saviour. Our little boy prayed one night and told his dad that he asked Jesus into his heart.
When he was just a young boy, we moved and his dad had to be gone alot of the time during medical school for his medical rotations. My son stepped in and became my little man. He truly made it easier for me during these times. He played hard, loved his younger brothers, and helped me take care of things.
I watched this little man being picked on by the bigger boys in our apartment complex, but he didn't run home crying or even complain about it. He just handled it the best he could. (Although I wanted to go ring their little necks and put a hurtin' on them) Later he ran into one of the "big" boys and my son's growth had surpassed the little runt, and so had his character. He could have given the boy a pounding, but instead showed great maturity, and was friendly with him and went on his way.
When my son entered Jr. High, he bloomed. He grew taller and his shoulders grew broader. He seemed to always be laughing and having the time of his life. I loved watching him enjoy life, playing ball, and flirting with girls (well, maybe not the girl thing). Because of his disposition, his intelligence, and his abilities, he became a leader and an example. He never tried to become these things, he never tried to make people like him, it was just a natural thing.
Whoever said that raising teenagers is awful, was terribly wrong. It was the funnest time of my life. It was awesome watching my boy become a man. I loved when he came in every day and told me what went on in his little world that day. I loved when he came in almost every night, layed down beside me in my bed, and talked and talked and talked. I loved having 15 - 20 boys staying at my house, playing, horsing around, and eating all my food. I loved my teenager.
Since then, he's gone through some struggles, we've gone through some struggles, and, in spite of it all, my love for him is stronger and than ever. I've watched him make some good choices in his life, go on to pharmacy school, get engaged to a good girl, and make life long friends.
Our son has gone from our little boy to a man that I'm very proud of. Things have almost gone full circle and now our son takes care of us. He makes sure the driveway is plowed, makes sure we have wood for our fireplace, and generally just makes sure we're okay.
We don't have the long talks like we used to. He has someone else to tell his secrets to, and no, I'm not upset over that, I'm thankful that God put a girl in his life that is glad to listen and be there for him. But, occasionally, he'll tiptoe into my room and we'll talk. When he leaves, I smile and think of those times not so long ago, that we layed in my room and whispered over silly girls, ballgames, and dreams of the future.
I love you, son, and I'm so thankful that God gave you to me, and that I get the privilege of hearing you call me Mom.
Psalms 127:3-5 Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hands of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:
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