A Mother's View

I have heard myself say it a couple of times in frustration: “I’m going to really miss Jacob, but I’m not going to miss some things about him.”

We are coming down to the finish line. It’s just around the corner, and we have a great sense that there is still so much more that we want to infuse into our oldest child to prepare him for success on his own. How will he manage financially if he won’t live on a budget? How will he live respectfully with others when he won’t pick up after himself? How will this major procrastinator survive without someone to keep reminding him of deadlines?

We make our last ditch efforts to place importance on a few of these issues that he has not yet found to be important, but I’m finding that I really need to step back and see where he has found success already and spend as much time or more celebrating those achievements. We do have a long list of qualities, accomplishments and values that we recognize in Jacob. We have tried to acknowledge them directly to him. I think he knows how proud we are of him.

We are excited to see where Jacob’s journey will take him. He is a goal setter and really applies himself when it matters. He has great ambitions for life, but it is comforting to know that he also has a bond to home. I look forward to more special family times this summer.

Change is inevitable. I am anticipating the demotion in rank as “Mom.” I feel sadness but want so much for him to have his independence. Seeing him move away to Kansas, I know will be a difficult thing for me, but I need to remember to be grateful. A new beginning for Jacob is also a new beginning for me.

So in August, we will move you to your new home, Jacob, and leave with confidence that you are ready for this new opportunity. The part of being your Mom that will never change is my daily prayer for you.  May you always live your life with purpose and make a difference in your world.  

I love you, Jacob.

Mom