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As you leave home – A letter to my son
May 13, 2011
Dear Matt,
Tomorrow you leave the nest and head out on your own. It’s not the first time you’ve left home (the first was to go to college), but this is the final leaving most likely. From here you go to a new home and start working on your own life and your own traditions as well. I know that you will enjoy it. It will be quiet at first, and you may not know what to do with yourself being on your own, but you’ll get the hang of it. We’re not too far away for you to visit this time or for us to visit you (or come down pounding on your door when I need sanctuary – hehe). It hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday and even though I knew this day was coming, that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier. Nor does knowing that it is time for you to go out on your own give me any peace. We are and have always been very close – sharing a brain as I like to say – and I hope we always will be. Yeah, we’ll disagree, sure we’ll probably have an occasional fight, but that’s family life. The key to that stuff is to respect the other person and remember not to say stuff that will hurt deeply and regret you ever said it.
I kind of envy you because when I left home it wasn’t on the best of terms and I was so ready to be on my own even though I was only 19 and hadn’t a clue of how life really worked. It took me many, many years to figure it all out, and today I’m doing the best I can do having learned all those lessons finally. You have an advantage because we’ve talked about so much and I’ve lent my experience to help you see things that I didn’t. Of course the best experience sometimes is making mistakes – yeah, you heard that right, sometimes we do have to fail to move forward. I know you know that though, because you once told me to butt out of your life and if you make a mistake then you learn.
I’m so proud of you for all that you have accomplished in your life!! You have the job you have because years ago you found your passion and followed it with all your heart. I applaud that!! You did well in all your studies here at home and at college. You held your jobs well and performed to the best of your ability. You have been so generous in giving to your family and those outside even our country. Now, take all that you have learned, all that I have taught you (you do remember all of it don’t you??) and go forth and shine on in your life and in other’s lives. Your life is a gift – sometimes we can’t always see that, but it is. Live it that way – be thankful for all that you have because it’s a gift.
I’m sorry for the times when I failed as a mother – please forgive me.
I am always here for you to talk with and to listen. I may not have all the answers, but I can give you my thoughts and what I have learned along the way. I named you Matthew because the name means “gift of God” and you have been that. I love you Matt – always will no matter what.
Love, Mom
Now, here’s some blackmail fodder for everyone to enjoy
. There were way too many to through and pick from so this is just a smattering. I found some real gems though and it was a lot of fun to go down memory lane.
The beginning of your life
OMG - look how young Dad and I are!!
You always have loved food - either that or you thought all it was good for was smearing it on your face.
Not sayin' a word about this one
Here you are at 10 years old
This was five years ago - look how you've grown!
I think this is 2007 before you went to college
Off to college - 2007
Grown up and ready to go out on your own..*sniff*
About Me
Hi - welcome to Oh Crap! and if you come back enough times you'll soon find out why I named my blog that.
I am an unperfect mom to 8 great kids: 5 boys and 3 girls (and I had them in that order too).
I have been married for either 25 really long or really short years depending on how my day is going.
Even though I have homeschooled my children for the last 16 years, I am certainly no supermom - unless you count the days I have to rescue my daughters from a moth in their room.
I love coffee, chocolate, and music from the 80's. I enjoy reading books, chick flicks, and thirtysomething.
So, that's me in a nutshell (and I'm probably more of a nut than you know). Thank you for visiting me on my blog!
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