Since it was Mother’s Day yesterday, I thought I would be a guest writer on Reid’s blog. (With photos by Reid.)
First, about Reid. He is our only son. He is the only grandson on my husband’s side of the family. (There are 9 girl cousins.) He is the son of a third son of a third son of a third son. He is the second child of two third children. He has curly hair.
(Mom hugs are the best.)
I used to be able to protect him, and now he is taller and stronger than I am, and he has been for a long time. This is a little weird. Even though I am proud of the man he has become, there is always that Mama Bear part of me that wants to fight his battles and drive away all the pain. As if I could ever do that. But I like to think so.
I am the mom who encourages her children to explore the world, then cries and cries at the airport. I am the mom who has no problem doing risky things (skydive, ride a motorcycle, travel), but says, “Are you sure you should do that?” when my children do the same thing. I am the mom who wants her children to grow up, but wish they were in my living room every night.
(We look pretty good for having just fallen 10,000 feet.)
So, while I am happy for Reid and know this is right for him, part of me is really dreading the 11 months he will be gone. I won’t be able to get there if he’s in trouble. I may not even know he’s in trouble until some time passes. I can’t stand that idea, but I have to live with it because that’s what it means to have grown children who go out on their own and become the person God has created them to be.
(The whole family, except for Dad and a dog.)
So, once again, I have to hand Reid to God and say, “I know he was yours before he was mine.” I have to let go and trust that God, who loves Reid more than I do, will direct Reid in the path He has chosen for him. I have to be willing to accept the bad with the good, the hard with the easy, the challenges with the fun.
No matter what happens between now and June 2015, I trust God for Reid and his future. I am so proud to be Reid’s mom. I am so amazed to see what a wonderful young man he is. I am so excited for him and for what the next year will bring.
I know that, no matter what happens, all will be well.
(I love her.)
