Eighteen years ago today, I was looking at your sweet face, contemplating what I had gotten myself into. You were about twenty-five minutes old, and all I can think was, Holy Shit! I am actually someone’s mother!
Maybe I wasn’t thinking those exact words, but it was something like that. I thought of all of the things I should teach you, all the things you needed to understand, and all of the ways you would shine your light upon this world. I fell asleep the night of November 25, 2004 with you close to me; and on what felt like one day later, I woke up the morning of November 25, 2022, and you were eighteen.
When I look at you today…eighteen years old, beautiful smile, amazing heart, intelligent mind, strong sense of self, I see one of the most amazing young men ever to grace this world with his presence…when you look at me, I pray you see me as a good mom. However, I have no control over how another one sees me, including my children; but there are things I must make clear to you as you continue into adulthood and begin living your own life.
- You taught me how to love unconditionally. Everyone else in existence who I truly love carries a condition of one sort or another. Not you!
- For every single mistake I made (and I’m sure you have a list a mile long), I am very, very sorry! As a very fallible human being, I pray you forgive me my trespasses.
- Please look to God. Although there isn’t enough room in the whole universe to hold all the love I have for you, God is the only perfect love, the only all- knowing/all seeing, and the only One who knows what is best for you. Pray to Him, look to Him, seek His will above all others.
- Know your worth and go out and get what you’re worth!
My son, you are only young once, and I pray you stay that way as long as you possibly can. You don’t have to have all the answers at once. You don’t have to know where you will be five, ten, or even fifteen years from now. All you have to do is take life one day at a time, following your inner heart, mind, and soul, listening to God’s voice telling you you are exactly where you are meant to be. I love you! I pray for you! I have faith in you! I have and will always advise you to do what makes you happy as long as you can answer yes to two questions: Does this glorify God? Will these reap joyous benefits?
Happy Birthday to the one who made me a mom!
Just My Perspective 