Gratitude Post Day 4~ Our Sons

Today my thoughts turn toward my children. I am thankful that the Lord gave me sons because I did not have a good relationship with my mother until late in life. The men in my childhood came and went according to who my mother was dating. So it goes without saying that I knew very little about men. My sister and I lived off and on with our grandmother and sometimes our mother was around.

When I got married I never thought too much about kids, but I knew that I liked them. I knew so little about boys, but with the birth of my first son, I jumped in feet first. I guess you can tell that I was the baby in our family. I had never changed a diaper or even fed a little baby. I had baby sat older kids, but not little babies.

Our first son was perfect in every way, although he did have some troubles at birth, he grew into a healthy young man. I never realized how sensitive little boys are until I had boys. Since I was a tomboy as a kid, I liked all the things that boys did. It just came natural for me to be a mother to my sons. The best time of my life was when my sons were little. I couldn't wait to get up and play outside with them. We would go on picnics at the park, swimming, roller skating, to the zoo, the library, scouts, baseball, football, church. My life was centered on my family.


Our boys are 7 1/2 years apart, so it was like having two only children. I wondered if we would ever have our second child. With the birth of my youngest son, our lives were complete. They are each unique and different in their own right. Our youngest has Tourette's Syndrome, so his young school years were difficult by all the taunting of classmates. He soon learned who his friends were. Let me say this was really hard seeing him in such a terrible situation. We did everything possible to encourage him. We made mistakes, but then we re-grouped and started again with new possibilities. Once, I ask him if he would want to have this surgery that would help his TS. He said "Why would I want to change how God made me?" He is wonderfully made.

I remember everything about them as children and how much I loved them. I miss those little kids, but I am so proud of the men that they have become. I trust them both with my heart and my life. They are both good sons. I am so thankful for them. Thankful Dad and I did good in raising them.

Our oldest son has a career in the Air Force, while my youngest son is a firefighter. I am blessed in that they are community minded and serve to help those in need. There is nothing that either one of them would not do for anyone. I guess they get that from their dad. They are both creative, musical and love the outdoors, which I guess they got from me.

I just want to say that this was one of the most important jobs that I ever had in my life. The rewards were wonderful and I am so thankful that they are the men they have grow up to be.

They have enriched my life beyond measure and have given me so much joy. Thank you Lord for changing my life through my children. I am blessed beyond measure.