PACKING

This is probably the last blog I will do until 2 weeks from today. It is a personal blog, but there are acts of kindness involved.
My older son invited me to spend a week with him at his home. He has a week off work. He is going to come (an 8 hour drive) to pick me up and take me there, and he will bring me back home next week (the same 8 hour drive). He knows my husband is working and couldn't afford to lose the time and paycheck. 

Brag time:    I have two wonderful sons who have always been loving, kind and generous. We have kept in touch even though we were many miles, and states apart. They call me almost every weekend and sometimes more often. We are good friends and can talk for hours about anything. Since last year, we (like most of you) have fallen on hard times. My sons have gone above and beyond to help us. The younger one even took us into his home until we could get on our feet again.

PARENTS... please hear my heart - I divorced when my boys were young, but old enough to know and feel the pain. Thanks to my mom and dad, we worked through it. My dad became their male role model (and a great one at that). When I worked 'Granny and Pop' were always there for them.
NUMBER ONE - If you find yourself alone, trying to work and raise your children, find someone (relatives or friends) who can give you the support you need (mental, physical, and emotional ).


As my boys grew I got involved in their lives, school, band, sports, church groups, and they got involved in mine. So involved that many of our 'friends' on facebook are the ones they grew up with and I taught.  Adulthood has become the great equalizer and we all communicate as friends.
NUMBER TWO - Get involved in their lives. Even if you are a working parent, take time to listen to the things they care about. If possible, go to and enjoy their soccer games or dance recitals. Stay close to them, just as a parent, not a monitor.
 Remain a parent first - they need someone to guide them, not become like them.


My boys tried their wings and made mistakes like all of us.
Sometimes it required action. I took it. Other times we talked about it in depth. And there were times when we just laughed.
NUMBER THREE - Always be genuine. If you are upset, even if you fake a smile and say nice words, you can't hide it. They need honesty from you. That's not a license to be cruel or demeaning, just real.


Was I a great parent - NO, but I was the best one I could be. Remember, we learn as we grow. (Some day we look back and realize that we can't be responsible for what we didn't know;   however, we are responsible once we have learned.) If you need to apologize, do it. I did. If you need to ask forgiveness, do it. I did. Whatever it takes to have a healthy, happy relationship with your family, do it. I'm still doing it - at least trying.

I pray that your children grow up to be loving, kind and generous too.