Ladies,

Just had to share this. My youngest son and I had a "rough" teenage experience and have not been all that close afterwards. Those of you who know all that I have been through this year with moving to a new city, my hubby ending up being unemployed, then him having cancer to boot. blah, blah, blah... Anyhow, I was talking on the phone to my youngest about Christmas and told him first of all I wish I could be there for Christmas, and secondly I wish I had something cool to send him (like money which is what he wants anyhow!) He said the sweetest thing...."Mom, I have had 21 perfect Christmases, I think I can live with one that is not exactly perfect." Did my heart good to hear that from my "man child" Wow, what a sentiment.

MM, this is a sure sign he is growing up, don't you think? He is maturing, and above all else, he is compassionate. I have chills from reading it. Good for him I say! What a sweetheart!

Sending love,

JJ

Wow. What a beautiful message. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing it.

MrsMuzz is thjis the same son you speak of in another post thats doing you so proud in the Navy? Sounds like you folks did a very ggod job raising those children into responsible young adults. Like I said in your other post, just when you think theres nothing they can do to surprise us, they do!!!

MsMuzz,
Please tell your son we all love him. His words have had special meaning to me this Christmas.

We are having such a strange Chrismtas and his words keep remindimg me maybe it's okay to Chill Out after twenty years of great holidays.

Our tree is upstairs in the great room and I am downstairs in the guest bedroom. Now I'm here to tell ya', going up stairs on one foot is IMPOSSIBLE--though I did make it up there once by scooting up the stairs on my bottom.
And though Dan tries, he's simply not Martha Stewart. He wound up decorating the tree. He was only interested in the lights so nothing else got on the tree. It is flocked with no ornaments, but Lots of Lights.
I have always had a huge celebration at my house before the big day so the grandkids could enjoy Christmas with their parents and new Santa toys on the 25th. I go from house to house visiting on that day with leftovers, etc. We will have the kids here on Sunday, but the celebration will be toned down. It will be in a semi clean house withoput the usual tons of food.
The kids will have to cope with the house, finish decorating the tree and we're ordering PIZZA.
Also I won't be able to run out on Christmas Eve to charge a zillion toys so the gifts won't be the usual Christmas chaos of over consumption, but the kids all swear they don't care.

Thanks for sharing your son's words. They should be tatooed on the forehead of every mother of adult children.
Please tell him Merry Christmas and thanks for his wisdom.
smile

Chatty,

The Navy guy is my oldest son, Michael. The one with the sweet sentiment for me was my youngest, Eric. I have been doubly blessed and yes, I am beginning to forgive myself for not being the "perfect" mother. Apparently, they turned out good anyhow!!!

MM - I had to smile at your "forgiving myself for not being the perfect mother" remark --

I sure do relate to that

isn't it amazing how our boys can make us feel sooooooo unworthy and then one day we turn around and with one little remark from them everything is right in our world again

MM, you must be on cloud nine. I agree with lion. Words can build you up or tear you down. Look at what a few kind words did for you. I bet that made your Christmas!

Smile, I posted in the SURGERY post about how our Christmas changed when our daughter arrived from Korea on Dec. 21 and had her nights and days mixed up, thenour son got pneumonia on Christmas Eve. After traveling form relative to relative's homes every Christmas, we went nowhere that year and everyone came to us.
It changed tradition. We haven't left home on Christmas day since. You never know what the Lord has in store for you girlfrined. Just give into it.

Mrs. Muzz,
Your son's words are really great and I agree with all the gals here. Give him a big hug for us.
Thanks,
Maggie