Thursday, June 1, 2017

10 things...

 I Want To Say To My Son As He Graduates 

When these milestones come, I usually get a little choked up. {And by a little, I mean I'm swallowing big, ugly crying, even just seeing a photo montage.}

While it would be enough to just say "good luck" & "i love you" that's not all there is to say. Not in a million. 

Here are ten things I want/wish/really hope make it out of my mouth before Max crosses that tassel over to the other side. 



  1. Congratulations(!)Forget about my sniffing and crying-ness. In fact, forget everyone and make this about you for a quick little moment. Accept every pat on the back and lean into all those slobbery kisses. Take your victory lap. This is one of those moments. Drink it all in.
     
  2. Keep Calm & Carry On Take your moment, then move on. Now is the first time, but definitely not the last time, that you’ll learn that life just keeps swimming. Keep your head held high, put your eyes forward, then take that baby step. The truth is that everybody worries about what’s around the corner {remember What About Bob?}. Everyday heroes put one foot in front of the other and just do it. It's your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you. But no one can walk it for you. 
  3. Pick up your ________________ clothes... room... car... people... self.  Take care of yourself, your stuff, and those you love. A good life is yours to enjoy if you can fill in that blank for yourself a little every day.  
  4. Find your happy people, things, and even circumstances. Somethings may be fully deserving of the full power of your energy. Hold your temper. Count to ten, whistle a happy tune, find your happy place. Do whatever you have to do to find a peaceful {but workable} solution. The world needs more lovers, just like you. 
  5. We've got your back You're never alone in this world. NEVER. There’s a power in having good friends and family who're all ready to reach out when you need that helping hand. Let our great love hold you in low moments. And when you get a chance, do the same for someone else. There is almost nothing in the world that will cure what hurts you like doing something nice for someone else. 
  6. Dare to dream really big, but also live every day with a sense of wonder and be brave too.  A lot of adulting is not so much an exciting new road but a familiar, well-laid path. Look for all the simple joys and brace for the sad, scary things that can surprise you along the way. The moment you accept what troubles you've been given, the door will open.
     
  7. Show up I noticed while raising you that you aren't just any guy. I kind of watched you being a certain type of guy. The kind that shows up for people. I've noticed that you celebrate their successes and ease the burden of their failures. You help them laugh and sit with them when they are sad. You go to boring parties, lame weddings, and uncomfortable dinner parties because someone asked you to be there for them. Keep showing up. I’ll always be amazed at the joy I've found from watching you doing the thing you really didn’t want to do. 
  8. All you need is love You told me that you have a lot of choices to make the next few days, months, and years. It can all seem a little overwhelming. Let The Beatles provide a little help in this: all you need is love. If you have it, give it. Plain and simple. Spread love around like you could never give enough of it. Then you won’t just have a blessed life, you will be a blessing to others as well. 
  9. You look incredibly handsome Seriously. This one catches in my throat every time. That picture of you on the ice with all the other graduating seniors? Almost did me in.
    You have no idea what it’s like to watch someone grow up before your eyes yet, but I hope you get that privilege. You were a beautiful, perfect boy the minute I met you and your bright, golden light has never dimmed. I'm so unspeakably proud of the young man you have become inside and out. And you look great in that cap and gown too. Really, you're rocking it. 
  10. I love you Truly, honestly, deeply. This day. Every day. Forever. Take that knowledge with you into beautiful corners and brave new worlds. Let it keep you warm on cold nights and out of dark places. 

The best is yet to come, sweet boy. You got this.

Love, Mom