The peanut butter to my jelly. The cream to my coffee. The cheese to my macaroni……My children to me! Without them, life would be rather blah!
The other day my 11 year old daughter grabbed my arm, weaved hers around mine, and started singing these words: “I’m like a part of you mom, I’m never letting go.”
My first thought: Good! Please don’t!!
My second: You ARE a part of me. The very BEST part of me.
This is exactly how I feel about each one of my children. In the words of Jerry Maguire… “they complete me!” ((I apologize for that overused reference.))
My children have all had to face some giant obstacles and tragedies in their lives. One being.. the addiction to opiates that rendered both of their parents absent from their lives; Me sporadically, their father permanently. They’ve been through some really “tough” stuff.
Looking at them you really wouldn’t be able to tell. They are happy, healthy, hilarious, intelligent, kind, compassionate, amazing little people!! (My parents had a lot to do with this. When we stepped out, they stepped in! They have loved and nurtured them like their own. The debt I owe to them is truly insurmountable!)
This next part, may very well bore the average reader… but I feel the need to write this down for myself. For them. And have felt the “tug” to do so for a while now, so here’ goes.
Maria…. My oldest child… at 17 years, she is intelligent, extremely strong willed (oh, so her dad in this instance), self-sufficient, an amazing dancer, and has a heart of gold. She loves intently. She is so forgiving but is also cautious. She was the child that was forced to grow up the fastest because of our choices; but has gracefully emerged into a beautiful young woman, who I am so proud of. Your future is so bright, my dear!
Jeremiah… My 15 year old son, reminds me so much of his father. His intelligence. His humor. His sarcasm. He truly is the best things that His father was. He loves deeply. His level of empathy for those who hurt around him is surpassed by few. You amaze me daily, my boy!
Hannah… My 13 year old… She is a whirlwind of quick-whit(again, her father) and feistiness. She is kind. She is compassionate. Hilarious. Sooo smart, sometimes too smart. She is a performer by nature, which is evident by her love for Dance. Man, do I love watching you, banana!!
Sophia… My 11 year old has one of the very kindest hearts I’ve ever known. She is sweet. She is gentle. Silly. And definitely not shy. And I absolutely love how little babies melt her heart! She is a little mama in the making! Child, someday some little ones are going to be so very lucky to call you “Mommy!”
And last but not least… Jaxson, my 7 year old. Our new beginning. That is what he once represented for his father and me. He is goofy, loving, and ready to defend anyone that needs defending!! He fights for what he believes is right. I know someday you will do great things, baby boy!
I am excited for what the future holds for each one of these amazing children. I love each one of you… more than you’ll ever know!
((Rather old… but one of my favorites of all of us))
Only By His Grace 