Every time something is brought up about my son who will be graduating from high school in 16 days the next thing someone ask is "are you sad?" I understand why they ask the question, I really do. My answer is no. How can I be sad? Yes time is flying by. Yes it only seems like yesterday that he had his binky and mr bear. Yes it only seems like yesterday when I was taking him to his first baseball practice. But am I sad? No. I can not be sad. My son Preston has worked so hard on and off the field. He has earned every scholarship by staying focused and working hard over the years. He actually had someone tell him 4 years ago that he would never play high school or college ball and to give up his dream. He did play high school baseball and played it well. He has signed to play at the college level. So I am not sad, but proud. Yes, I cried at his last high school baseball game. Yes, I cried at his senior speech. Yes, I will cry at his graduation. These are tears of a mom being proud. Yes the first night I go to kiss him good night and I realize he is in the dorm I will probably cry...ok, I WILL cry. Again, tears of happiness that my son has accomplished his dreams at this point. That he is moving on to that next chapter of his life, the next phase of his journey. I can not wait to see what all he will accomplish, what all he will experience.
My kids are grounded Christian young men. They are human, they will stumble and they will fall. I am blessed to be their mom and will be there for them on any level they need me to be. They are both growing up and moving on through the chapters of their lives. They are learning a lot of life's lessons along the way,they are also teaching me some life lessons as well. Life is going to happen no matter my emotion, sad, happy, mad or proud. I am going to try and just focus on the proud emotion that I feel about my children and stay away from the sad one.
So am I sad? I choose no...I choose proud.
"men are what their mothers made them" Ralph Waldo Emerson
2 comments:
Couldn't agree with you more, Ms Lisa! I am so inspired by you and I admire your devotion to your sons - but mostly for your faith. There's a sense I have that you grab life for all it's worth, loving everyone God has placed in your life with everything you've got! I am sure you are a blessing to your family and to everyone you meet.
My son is graduating high school at the end of this month and a flood of memories of his growing up come to mind right now. Your post reminded me of the same question asked of me back when he entered kindergarten for the first time. In fact, my friend said it this way: "Aren't you sad? Seeing your little boy walk toward the school, with that big building swallowing him up?" I was surprised at the question because I was so excited for him starting his education and the beginning of developing friendships!
Here we are again, one more chapter ending and a new one beginning. My son is an artist, has done well in his classes but his greatest ongoing accomplishment has been in overcoming (and continuing to overcome) health issues. There have been a lot of starts and stops in attending classes since his freshman year - and there were plenty of times he could have quit (many do) but not only did he keep going, he is on track to graduate on time! : ) His dad and I couldn't be more proud. Art workshops and college are on the horizon and he'll tackle these in his own way.
We cheer along with you as we've had the awesome blessing of seeing our boys become incredible men after God's own heart! God bless you and your beautiful family, Lisa!
~ Carmel
Carmel, I have followed your journey on Facebook . Things you have posted, words you have said have blessed me. I am honored and thankful that this cyber part of our lives have brought you and I together in our journey. So you and I can choose to be proud of our boys together and watch with excitement as they enter the new chapter. God bless you and yours.
Lisa
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