Focusing On Life: 52 Photos - Week 25

This week's prompt for Sally over at The Studio Sublime is unquestionably the hardest one yet - for me, anyway!
 
Sally's prompt for Week 25 of Focusing on Life: 52 Photos was to complete this sentence:
 
"You are,......."
 
We were instructed to "give yourself the positive reinforcement you deserve. Take a moment to think about who YOU are, what makes you a wonderful person."
 
This is such a great prompt, but boy did it have me stumped!
 
Lately I've been thinking, mostly because my son keeps reminding me, that the time he has left at home with us before he graduates high school and goes 'off into the world' is very limited. It's something like 750 some odd days,....he's got it counted out to the day he turns 18, which will be a month after he graduates high school. 
 
 I keep ignoring the number because I don't want to think about not having him at home all the time.
 
He's unsure exactly what it is that he wants to do when he 'grows up'. He has wanted to be in the Military (a Marine to be specific) since he was just a tiny thing and could barely say the word. He would play 'army' all the time and he's watched the military and history channels so much that even I can tell you what type of ammo goes with what type of gun or what missile what tank or aircraft is armed with and for which war or operation we've used it in. 
 
He's now mentioning college; saying maybe it would be better (pay wise, etc.) to enter the Marines after college, even though he's unclear on what he wants to get a degree in.
 
We don't push him hard in either direction (maybe that's not such a good thing at times), but instead tell him to follow his heart and his dreams, to reach inside and find who he is and do what he needs to do for himself - not for anyone else.  We're there for him and talk to him about planning for his future, even though it scares the daylights out of both Mike and me, knowing so many of the things he's going to face out in 'the real world'.
 
But, you have to let them go.
Let them be who they're going to be.
 
 
 
 
 
You always wonder if you're giving your children the guidance they need. The guidance they want. The guidance they deserve. You wonder if you've done all the basic things like teach them good manners, show them how to clean their rooms/bathrooms, do their laundry, cook (Logan does all but the cooking thing - he still likes Mom to do that!), keep track of their money and be wise with their purchases, be considerate of others, be respectful. And the list goes on,.....
 
This week's prompt had me complete stumped until last night when we were sitting at dinner with some friends up here in the mountains (where we spend as much time each summer as we can) and the conversation between myself and my friend Mary went something like this:
 
Shelly:  So Mary, are you ready to get rid of your 'extra' child? Is Logan ever going to come home or are you adopting him? (he's spent every night over at Mary's - which is just about a mile down the road - w/her kids since we arrived this past Tuesday )
 
Mary: (as she laughs at my comment) Oh, Shelly, I just have to tell you how wonderful it is to have Logan with us. He's such a joy.  Out of all the kids, when I tell them to do work for me out at the barn or around the house, he's the first one to get up and get the other kids doing what I've told them - it's working out really good!  And, he's always polite and he helps keep the sibling jabs and quarrels down to a minimum too. Which has been really nice lately - trust me! 
 
So, as we were all getting up to leave Tal Wi Wi Lodge (yes, it really is called Tal Wi Wi - you can follow the link, here!) Logan walks over and puts his arm around my shoulder and hugs me and says;
 
"Mama, I love you. Thanks for ordering us guys our food when we went back to the cabin to pick up Dad.  My onion rings were great! Oh, and I'm riding with Phillip and Will cause I'm staying at Mary's again tonight, okay?"
 
And right there I thought, "You are,....a good Mom!" 
 
At least I felt like a good Mama, with his arm around me and his cute face with that silly little grin looking down upon me!
 
 
 
 
I was in Mama heaven! 
 
I'm soooo gonna miss my 'baby' in two more years.
Or 738 days,...to be exact.
 
 
 
Please take some time to hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what everyone else 'got to snappin' for this week's prompt!
 
And, thank you Sally. Each week of this photo challenge is an exploration of the world around me,...not to mention an exploration of me personally!  It's an incredible journey and I'm glad I'm along for the ride!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Being a Good Mom!
Cheers,
~Shel~

16 comments:

  1. Love this post, Shel. I agree with your approach to parenting and it seems to have worked pretty darn well for Logan. What a great photo of the two of you. I know you will enjoy those 738 days.

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  2. If your son says he loves you and that you are a great mom, you know you are doing things right, especially if he lets you take a photo with him!

    It nearly killed me when my daughter moved sevral states away, and in the fall my son will be moving to Colorado. I told my youngest daughter that she can not leave me or I will wither away.

    Thank you for such a great post!

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  3. You did REAL GOOD, mom! He is a handsome boy and I am sure he will continue to make you proud, no matter where he lands.

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  4. When we love them we have to let them fly.

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  5. It sounds like not only are a good mom, but a wise one. Enjoy every minute of the next 738 days, they go by so quickly.

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  6. what a great post Shel! you did have me crying at the end!! what an amazing kid you got there, and no doubt because of you and the hubby! Mine is a sophomore next year, so I've got 3 years, but I tell you it scares the pants off me to think of her leaving us, and out there on her own. I do not look forward to it because I just love being around her.

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  7. Those are the moments when you know you are doing it right!!! You ARE a good Mama!

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  8. A lovely blog post and a beautiful photo of mother and son. It seems from the moment they can toddle you are teaching them to be independent of you - stand on their own two feet and be their own person - and that is just what you've done - you pass with flying colours (but no-one said it would be easy!!!)

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  9. Being a mother is an exceptional opportunity. Looks like you've dona a great job. Letting go is the hardest part of all.

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  10. I am with Alice, there are times when we think...is it worth it? But then they step in with that God given smile and we just melt....I think we are all good moms, it is just some kids don't realize it til they have some of their own!

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  11. As a mom of 3 boys...I loved your story, you are a great mom and it is awesome your son can tell you that!!!

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  12. I so hear you on this! It is so comforting to hear that your kids' friends' parents like them! Sounds like you have raised a great young man.

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  13. What a truly wonderful story, it sounds like you've done an excellent job raising him, what a lovely young man

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  14. Oooh! You brought to tears to my eyes. I am the Mom of three sons and have traveled this road recently with two of my boys so I can completely relate. I think your advice to your son to follow his heart is perfect. They have to make their own decisions and find what makes them truly happy. You are a very good Mom.
    ~Ema

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  15. It's great that you are treasuring your tie with your boy now. I hate that he's got a countdown going on, but I'm sure he's just anxious to become a man. It sounds like you are raising him right if the compliments from your friend are any indication. :)

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Thanks for sharing what you have to say - I love hearing your comments!