What She Said

John and I try to spend a few hours together each weekend (”Mom and John Time”); yesterday, we planned to eat and hit a store or two. As we were leaving, John said “Mom, we’ve got to go by the Sunoco and get the car washed; the football team is having a fund raiser”. So, off we went to the Sunoco.

It was packed! There were boys in the street heckling urging folks to get their cars washed and at least 30 boys were washing, rinsing and drying a dozen or so cars (and that many were waiting in line).

You see, Lancaster is a “pay to play” school system. This year, we had to pay $65.00 per sport ($130.00 for us) for our kids to play sports. With the failure of the recent levy and tax hike, we’ll now have to pay………are you ready……$400.00 per sport (and John wants to play three sports next year!)!!!

But I digress, the point of this post was to say……………..

Everyone knew John……..E V E R Y O N E. Kids were running to the car as we were driving in, banging on the window, hollering, laughing, yelling John’s name. As the car was “getting washed”, John rolled down the window and talked with several of them.

“See, Mom? Everyone knows me!”

“That has to make you feel good, John”.

“Yea…….it does”.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and it’s doubly special for me as it’s also John’s 18th birthday (my shock/sadness/distress compounded by the receipt of the draft card).

“It seems like only yesterday” is such a cliche………but it really does. Holding baby John-John (a whopping 10 lb. 10 oz.) in my arms for the first time was a moment never to be forgotten. God had, once again, blessed me with a healthy, beautiful baby boy.

John has been a joy to raise. I’d do every minute of it over again, if I could. He’s grown into a wonderful young man and I couldn’t be more proud.

Earlier today I received some flowers from him. I called to thank him (he was car shopping with his girlfriend). John said “Count the flowers, Mom”.

There are eighteen……………

REFLECTIONS OF A MOTHER

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can’t build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I can’t say “no” for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I can’t prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can’t achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can’t force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God’s family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life . . . and I will!!!

Author Unknown

And the day comes when all mothers of sons dreads: