MY BABY

As the next week winds to a close, I realize, probably like Hunter, that we HAVE to face reality. My baby graduates high school in one week. ONE WEEK! MY BABY! 

Since I have endured a child graduating high school I think I have mastered this. Then I realize that I will never experience this again. Never again will I have a child that can graduate high school. The graduations are turning to college. Then, somewhere down the road, the grandchildren will start the graduation process. 

Seems it was only yesterday that he started high school and we were telling him "you will grow, I PROMISE!" Four years we said this. Four years we tried to make coaches see. Four years we tried to make him see. Four very long years for a mom trying to keep up the hopes and dreams of her buddy. Well, it happened. It took awhile. It takes time to build perfection. It takes time to become a six foot man. Now I know a few coaches that wish they had seen the potential. Tapped into it. Utilized it. It is done now....you are moving on. I think the best revenge will be when you are umpiring one of their games and them having to see you as the person in charge. Or better still, you a high school coach in a few years, beating them out of the position they applied for. You no longer have to play nice in the sandbox. Your feelings can now have words, albeit well thought out words. 

I no longer have to worry about high school drama! I no longer have to worry about petty girls playing with a guys emotions. I no longer have to worry about......ah! Who am I kidding? I will worry about whether or not the sun is going to shine on him tomorrow!

Worries now become about "older" college girls preying on my good looking boy. I have to worry about whether or not he is making the right choices. I will worry about ..... EVERYTHING! Matthew 6:34 says: "Do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Looks like I need to heed some words here.

Here is the REALITY: My one and only son, my baby of the family will be graduating in a week. He is unsure of his future but it is bright regardless of what he chooses. Nothing can halt a dream in our house. We will push whatever his dream along with him and help him achieve it.

Hunter, I want to say publicly that I love you more than life itself. You will never understand the depths of a mother's love. You make me giggle, laugh, cry and want to scream at any given notice. I have gotten great joy watching your enthusiasm on the football field. I've enjoy screaming at wrestling matches. I have taken pride in watching the way you run a baseball diamond and even the times when you are umpiring games makes my heart full. 

Never have I been more proud than when you came back from your first mission trip and Darey said he knew then you had a calling. The compliments I heard from the adults that went on that trip, about your work and your heart, were so pleasing to a mom's ear. Now as we look at you going to Oklahoma, I don't worry because I know your heart is in caring for others. Your heart speaks volumes through your hands. Sometimes the strongest words someone hears from you are not words at all but a feeling. 

I love the way you jump in whenever someone needs something. The way you take care of Delynn as your second mom. The way you would stand up for Sam as you would if he were your own brother. The way you would knock someone's block off if they were inappropriate with your sister. The subtle way you are always looking after me when you think I don't notice. You were placed in the "man of the house" position EARLY and you stepped up. While I don't think you have ever relinquished your right to defend your mom and sister you have let Mark father you and shown love when it was difficult. You have taken changes in stride and kept on trucking. 

When you feel weak, remember, you are STRONG. That weakness is only a feeling and not a true indicator of what you ARE. When you are scared, remember, there is ALWAYS someone you can turn to. Your mom, your sister, your dad and your Heavenly Father are only a phone call or prayer away. When you are undecided, remember, prayer changes EVERYTHING and everything is in God's time not Hunter's time. When you are happy, REMEMBER from which it came. Celebrate the fun times, mourn the losses and always remember to give credit where credit is due. 

I have consistently seen your heart when no one else has and I know how truly big it is. When you helped Grandpa when he was dying, when you touched him inside that casket, when you picked up the puppy to try to find its rightful owners, when you ran to get me when a friend had twisted his ankle, when you pillow fight with the children next door, when you flirt with the little toddlers just to make them smile, when you take your Granny's hand, when you just sit and listen to your granddaddy, when you mow someone's yard because they can't, when you help build from scratch or when you build after a tornado, when you nurse me when I am sick, when you get Taylor whatever she needs after surgery....all these times when you were just living life as you know it, I noticed! There are so many other times that are too numerous to count that you have touched someone without you even noticing. Just by being you, you have made a difference. As you fly the coop, continue to make a difference and your life will be full and blessed. No one is ever the same after having spent time with you. You are one of a kind and I'm proud to say I am your mom! 

I LOVE YOU!