Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Blessings abound...

I miss my Nicholas, my little ‘Bug’ as I have christened him.


He is in Ohio spending time with family and friends. We exchanged him on Saturday and what I can gather from the thrifty phone calls he is having a great time with his Grandma, his Aunt Dawnie and his cousins. Although my heart aches for him, I am joyful they have the opportunity to get to be acquainted with him more as a person than from stories I share or pictures I send. It is at those times I inadvertently censor what they discover and hear about this young man of eleven. Now they have the chance to wrap themselves in him and experience the instances of his laughter, his smiles, his quips, his wit, perhaps his tears.

I adore my son, as most mothers do but I forever felt he actually belonged to God and we as parents were given him ‘on loan’ because such great promise was endeared to him. I wanted to be worthy of my role since the mere thought of him was my rescue from the savage battle of eating disorders and depression. Therefore, my joy and my life exists for nurturing the person he will grow to be.

I admire my son for his compassion and empathy at such a young age. This year his teacher e-mailed me that a new student had entered the classroom and Nicholas immediately offered to help the student get acquainted with the classroom routines. He had an extra binder so he gave it to the boy and helped him get organized for the rigors of the classroom. His teacher hoped it was okay.

I think highly of him for his honesty. A different teacher told me that he had handed back tests which Nicholas received a 100%. Nicholas went up to the teacher after class and told her that he couldn’t have gotten a 100% because he missed a question by forgetting to answer it.


I love him for his incredible sense of humor and his ability to see the positive in situations. He has to wear a face mask at night until January to pull his upper jaw forward. When the orthodontist was fitting it in the office, Nicholas quipped, ‘I feel like I’m in jail!’ He continually meets disappointments such as not being able to spend the night at a friend’s house with, ‘well, at least I get to spend more time with you and Dad!’ …forever the optimist.

My sister wrote on her facebook page after Nicholas went to spend the night at his Grandma’s house ‘I miss my nephew already and he is only 2 miles down the road. He’s such a sweetheart! Everyone deserves a Nicholas in their life. I love you Buddy!’ How can a parent not be proud!

He is traveling today to spend the remainder of his time until Sunday with his best friend Maddy and her family, or ‘his other family’ as he states. He is fiercely loyal; they have been best friends since second grade but despite the distance from Ohio to North Carolina, their friendship has remained strong and steady! What a blessing both of those children are to us from all who know them.

So I miss him deeply and when contemplating a ‘Thanksgiving’ theme for my blog today, what better way to present the holiday than with a massive proclamation; I am thankful for my little boy and the person he is becoming! But also, I thank you for listening to mother brag about how endearing her son is and how much I adore him. May you all be blessed with someone as special in your life, and until Nicholas returns home I must keep in mind;

“Missing someone gets easier every day. Because, even though it is one day further from the last time you saw each other, it is one day closer to the next time you will”


Ahhh, Amen to that!



17 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

Getting sent to Grandmas was two different worlds for us. We had one strict and the other very lax on the rules, but always looked forward to our yearly visits. I hope his happiness heals your loneliness.

June said...

Tracy, I can truly feel the love you have for your son through your wonderful writing. He is very blessed to have you as his mom.
Good luck with the camera!!!
Thank you so much for your visit.
June

Rambling Dandelions said...

What a tribute. Kids are the best. Free time, what are you doing?

Tracy said...

Out of the Prairie, Thank you for the thought that you said; "I hope his happiness heals your loneliness." YES!!! it's what I needed to hear to allow him the freedom to have the best time of his life! so, thank you!

June, ahh, I do love him and I hope as a parent, I can do right by him. Boy, it takes a lot to learn a new camera, doesn't it? My perfectionistic tendencies are getting in the way...

Kathie, I am baking, watching recorded shows, reading, writing, putting together a puzzle...flitting right now so it seems...I hope you are enjoying your day off!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Jules said...

I must admit a wonderful tribute. He must be just as proud of you. :)

Popped over to say thank you for following my blog and will be returning that blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

turquoisemoon said...

My youngest son is 36 and the oldest is 40... I miss seeing their faces on a daily basis. Somehow, in my memory, they'll aways be 10 and 14. LOL... We'll always be "mommy". Have a great day.
Lynn

Tracy said...

Jules, I enjoyed the visit immensely! pleas come back anytime! and thank you...I think he is proud and I can only say that because he doesn't mind hugging and kissing me in front of his friends which says a lot for a 6th grader!
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Lynn, that's good to hear about your sons...you're right, we always WILL be mom...I will be thinking about you this holiday season as you create new memories to blend with the old...

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Tracy, Your post almost made me cry since I raised three boys--and still miss them when they were 11... (They are now 47, 40, 39.... Yipes!)...

I think you have an incredible young man --and have every reason to be so proud of him --and also to miss him!!!!! Enjoy him now because I'm here to tell you that he will grow up much too fast...

Happy Thanksgiving.
Hugs,
Betsy

Teresa Evangeline said...

Boys are so special to us moms. I have two, all grown up. Both will be here at my house for
Thanksgiving...the first time in nine years. It's good for your Nicholas to spread his wings. He went well-equipped with love, compassion and humor. He's a handsome lad with a face full of love. You did good. :) Happy Thanksgiving, Tracy.

Unknown said...

Tracey thank you so much for stopping by my blog. It's been a pleasure getting to know your and your son through this post. You're a lucky mom to have raised such a wonderful son. :)

Dianna said...

XO

kenju said...

He sounds (and looks) like a wonderful son! Happy Thanksgiving, Tracy.

Arkansas Patti said...

Wow, he really sets the bar high for a youngster. Your deserved pride in him shines through.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Tracy said...

Betsy and Teresa, aren't boys the best? I'm so glad I was blessed with a son!
Thank you Kimmy, I plan to stop by more often now!
Dianna, love and hugs to you...miss you! It's your turn next :)
Thank you Kenju, he is a wonderful son!
Patti, YEs, I think he set the bar for himself pretty high, but know in my heart of hearts he'll stand tall!

Valerie said...

Tracy - What a beautiful post!

It is a pleasure to 'meet' you! Don't ever ask for forgiveness for bragging about your baby! We all do it and when our kids see it, that secret smile and shine in their eyes get a bit brighter!

Sounds like you are doing and amazing job of raising a soon to be young man who is sensitive, caring, empathetic and a great example of who Christ calls us all to be. Kudos mom!!

Love the quote at the end of your post.
Enjoy the day as you reflect on the amazing God who has given so much!

Valerie

Tracy said...

Thank you Valarie,
I so have enjoyed meeting people from all over with such different things to offer. I am amazed at the talent I come up upon.

Nicholas will be home in 3 days so I'm looking forward to it...just one day at a time! As parents all we can do is plant the seed, yes?
Thanks for stopping by. I really treasure your comments!

Peggy Payne said...

Really cool kid!