"Take an action each day that alleviates suffering in the world. Bring light into darkness."
-Angeles Arrien


Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished:
If you're alive, it isn't.
--- Richard Bach

I have come to realize more and more that the greatest disease and the greatest suffering is to be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, to be shunned by everybody, to be just nobody [to no one]
--Mother Teresa


We were not separated at your birth.
It was the moment at which we began our journey toward each other
.
-Nancy McGuire Roche

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Congratulations Son !!!

Well it has been a hard and joyful month for this Momma. My eldest Preston turned 18, graduated from High school and is now backpacking through Europe for 10 weeks. We have gotten mixed comments from some people on the Europe thing (they think we are crazy) but I know it is going to be a life changing experience for him and I am glad we are able to give him this gift. He is such a great kid and deserves every moment of it. He has never caused us one moment of grief (Well that is after the first 4 years of his life and maybe the dreadlocks if you ask my Husband) and is very responsible for his age (Remember me being so proud of him in a prior post titled Pride and Joy ). If he was a different kind of kid I might have never considered it. I can tell he has the love of travel like his Momma. So far I have never been in the position in my life to just pick up and travel the world like I would love (Did you know a cruise around the world costs over $250,000 a ticket?) but I know it would be one of my greatest regrets if I died tomorrow. I know I will have my time but right now I want to make sure I am part of nurturing his love of the world and other cultures. I so wish I was given such a gift when I was young before I started a family.

I have constantly been having flashbacks to when he was young since he turned 18. I can still remember the day he was born 18 years ago like it was yesterday. I can still remember the feel of his hair, the sound of his cry and the smell of him after a bath. I look at Khai some days and he gives me a look and Preston at 2 is standing in front of me all over again. I know you have heard it a million times but it really does go by in the blink of an eye; Cherish every moment. This knowledge and realization is what really got me through the first year with Meliah and Khai. It was so hard some days I wasn't sure I was going to make it through sane. Every time I would start to feel overwhelmed I would stop and imagine them going off to Kindergarten and knew I would want nothing more then to rewind to where I was right now ; easy or hard I was determined to slow down time and cherish every moment I was given with them. It gave me great perspective and I am so thankful that I am aware of this. I am also so thankful to have been given two amazing sons (We will talk about my amazing Daughters another time),born 16 years apart, who bring their Momma such pride and joy every day. Not too long ago I was pretty certain Preston would be my one and only son; I am so glad I was wrong.

1 comment:

LiveLaughLoveCj said...

I think it is an amazing gift you have given your son. To inspire and nurture the love of all people, places and cultures in this day and age.
The love you have for your family is so palpable through your words. It is overflowing and gentle, I wish you days full of memories to cherish your life through. Snapshots of time that you can recall with great love.

I also want to take a moment, to thank you, for your encouraging words in regards to my thyroidectomy coming up. I appreciate your honesty and the time it took to speak to me. I appreciate it more than you know.

I hope that this finds you and your family well, happy and at peace.
Always
Christine