My wife and I sent our youngest son away to college in another state a few years ago. He wanted to attend that university because it was far from his parents. As his dad, I understand why that was important to him completely because I was very independent and did not want my parents around when I was his age. And this kid is independent with a capital “I”. It was all we could do to get him to text us back more than just one-word replies like yes, no, and sure even after he landed there as a freshman.
But as time passed, he got better with his texting and now we even FaceTime him and get to see his mug …which is very nice for my wife…and me.
I think what I enjoy the most has been watching him change and grow over these short few years. How many of us looked at our children and truly wondered if they would make it in this life? In my son’s case, other than playing sports and video games, he wasn’t interested in anything. I tend to be pretty handy around the house and I worked to get him to at least try to learn the basics; like how to change a tire or replace his car battery. I even went so far as to teach him to use a table saw and power drill because we all know those skills are required in his future.
To say he appreciates what he learned would be a lie, but I also know he is still at school and not out on his own…But maybe he will thank me someday…I digress.
I don’t know about you, but when I watch my son now, I look for the intangibles that I think will ultimately get him to the next level in life. These are the things that can’t always be seen, but they are there and will separate him from the pack…and that is where we get to the main point of this post. My son wears a cross around his neck, and I didn’t ask him to.
That last bit I added because it is true. And from my vantage point, that is the best part. I said nothing to him. He decided that wearing a cross was what HE wanted to do for himself. That was an intangible I may not have picked up from him when he left for college, but 4 years later as he gets ready to graduate in a few months, I can see it in him now.
What makes this even more remarkable is that none of his roommates or friends wear one. He is the only one. And he knows that. To solidify that point, he is the kid who doesn’t care what other people think and at 22, that is kind of amazing. Why? Because when we were his age, fitting in is ALL we cared about but for some reason, with him, that just doesn’t matter as much. By the way, I know the reason.
So as I watch from a distance, through texting and occasionally getting to see him on a tiny phone screen, I am reminded of this each time; my son wears a cross around his neck…and I could not be more proud of him.
Until next time Guys…
