Encourage Me: Motherly Satisfaction

Dearest Robert,

I felt I needed to slip this letter inside your cap (and gown), where I knew you would find it. I wanted to take a few moments of your time to tell you what’s on my heart right now. My baby boy is all grown up. I promised I wouldn’t cry as I wrote this so I’ll do my best to keep my promise.

When your dad was killed in a car accident (almost four years ago), I felt like dying with him. I wasn’t sure I was up to the challenge of being a single mother of three teenagers. (It was never a life goal of mine) All of you gave me a reason to go on. I will be grateful for all the good things my three children have brought into my life.

Do you know just how much I love you (and your brother and sister)? Thanks for being such a good son. I wish your dad were here to see you get your high school diploma from Northside tonight. I’m sure he’s looking down from Heaven with a huge grin on his face.

I have no doubt you will excel at Bob Jones University this fall. Choose your major wisely (as it will have a profound effect on your vocation as an adult) I hope you’ll always remember me as a mother that did the best she knew how with the intelligence God gave me. Any decisions I made for your life (good and bad) were done out of love.

You are an overcomer. With the death of your father (at fourteen), your paternal grandparents, and the challenges of having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, I’ve noticed in you true determination to never give up. All of the above issues could have shattered you emotionally into a million tiny pieces, but you have always had your father’s ability to bounce back from any challenge.

Your antics sometimes put a smile on my face when I need a little happiness the most. Never forget that God always supplies our needs just at His right time. The inheritance money your grandparents left the three of you should be enough to pay for your schooling at BJU. Remember, to always keep Christ first in your life. You, Kim, and Jim bring me joy. Don’t forget to write or call when you are at college in Greenville, SC.

XXXOOOXXXOOOXXX,

Mom

P.S. Don’t ever forget Philippians 4:13 which says “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.” By now you and your siblings should have this verse memorized with all the cards, lunch bags, and napkins I’ve written it on. It’s always been a simple, achievable way for me to encourage my offspring into achieving the spectacular.

*Though the sentiments above were typical of my mother during this time in our lives together, the words are mine (and are completely made-up). My seventy-ish mother is not Internet or Facebook savvy (though I’ve offered multiple times to teach her with no success). I have verbally read this post to her, and made the changes she suggested. This final post meets with her approval.

This post was adapted from the article, “A Letter from Mom,” by me on May 28, 1982, for a high school writing contest. Though I didn’t win, I did get a red special honor ribbon. (See picture below.)