total keeper
Monday, February 20 
I’m pretty accomplished at worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet. Lately I’ve been worried about Youngest Son, and the fact that he’s starting high school next year. I’m not sure if he’s not ready or I’m not ready for him to make this transition, but I know all three of us parents — me, Shawn and Steve, Youngest Son’s dad — want him to stay just the way he is a tad longer.
On the other hand, he’s always been shorter than his classmates, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed he busts past 4’10” soon and can face those high school halls at least 5 feet tall. “I’m tired of girls telling me I’m ‘cute,’” Youngest Son admitted to me not long ago.
“I’m with you,” I told him. “I always thought cute was for hamsters or girls who weren’t quite pretty, so I never thought of it as a compliment either…What do you want to be called?”
“Dead-hot sexy,” he said.
He’s a quiet, funny boy with a sensitive heart.
Besides the size issue, his best buddy since 5th grade is going to boarding school next year, and Oldest Son, whom his world often revolves around, is making plans to go to Alaska for four or more months after graduation. And while Youngest Son is smarter than 10 pigs, especially in math and science, he struggles with organization, which shows up in his grades.
High school, can you go easy on my boy?
Anyway, yesterday (four days after Valentine’s Day), Youngest Son said, “Oh! I forgot! I made you something for Valentine’s Day.”
It just might be the sweetest card I’ve ever received. It's a book-card he made with paper bags. Inside each paper bag page, he place another note. The letters on the main pages, starting with the cover (above), spell A-W-E-S-O-M-E.
(Oops. I suppose I should take a little more care with what I'm communicating at the end of a long day.)
(I guess traditions are good, even if it's just watching the same show together every week.)
(Well, I want to send you off to school each day feeling loved and taken care of.)
(You too.)
(Note to self: Even when it seems like nobody's home, he still hears me knocking.)
(Really?!)
(No need to be mean — I could see you felt bad enough about those grades without any help from me.)
(Thank you for noticing. Now could you unload the dishes and pick your clothes up off your bedroom floor?)
(Good motivation for me...Worth at least one or two extra sit-ups.)
(Swoon. Can someone fetch me my smelling salts?)
When I finished reading it, stunned, I asked, “So…Did everyone make a card for their moms in class?”
“No, they just had materials set out in homeroom the other day. You could make a card for anyone you wanted.”
Can we just stop time right here? No need for my 13-year-old to continue on to high school. I’m unenrolling him right now, then we're going to lie on the couch and watch Sponge Bob re-runs together while dipping graham crackers in peanut butter.
Reader Comments (12)
That is the sweetest, most creative card (cards?) ever. You must have melted into a puddle of love! Congratulations. Now whenever you feel like you are failing as a mom, just take this out and remind yourself of your own awesomeness.
I love that he includes Shawn as one of the boys.
To raise a boy who can be so damn awesome? You three are...amazing.
Also? I am actually crying. Huh, Mrs F, despite popular rumours to the contrary, DOES have a heart.
And one more thing...I have two daughters, remember...? Will he wait for them? Because not ONLY is he dead-hot sexy...but I think I'd quite like to be his in-law.
Wow! Awwww! *sniff* What a love bug!!! Yeah, I can see why you want to keep him around... He's a keeper for sure!!! I do like the dead hot sexy comment. Having a son the same age myself, I can just hear and see how that came out! =) What a lovely card! Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.
On an off note, I'm reading a book called, "That Crumpled Piece of Paper Was Due Last Week." It totally hits it on the head about boys this age being disorganized and why. I haven't finished it yet, but it's as if they've visited our house/school and then wrote a book. Our boy, too, super smart along with those pigs, but is having major issues with organization to the point of starting to lose confidence... and that's not good. I've picked up two more books to read after this one. "Organizing the Disorganized Child" and "Smart but Scattered." The school councilor suggested "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" as well. Guess we'll see what we can learn and then gently try to apply. Just thought I'd share.
Correction: Title of first book is, "The Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week."
Awww... as the mother of a now 19 y/o mother herself. Isn't it AMAZING that you really haven't been talking to yourself all these years, and all that you've done or tried to do are truly noticed and appreciated. I've been reading your blog for a few years now and love your insight and wit. Your kids are wonderful reflections of how all of your parenting hard work is paying off. :)
AWWWW Sniffff That is the sweetest thing, he is a wonderful thoughtful boy. Tell him all he has to do to get a girl is be that sweet and thoughtful and height does not matter. Homemade cards and flowers and listening will get the girl everytime. Funny that Shawn is one of the boys. Nice that he apreciates you feeding him so that he does not die. Give the boy a hug and a kiss from us in SD
That is the sweetest thing ever. I hope my boys turn out like Youngest Son!
Loved the card! So sweet. I know how you feel about the transition. My son starts middle school next year and I worry as well. He has issues with organization and he is a minimalist about classwork and homework.
Laurie, I'll have to check out that book.
Like they said. What a guy, and good-looking, too. Disorganized? Who cares? His heart is a twelve-pounder, and that's what counts. I'm so glad you have this clear example to encourage you and give perspective to your anxieties of motherly success. You are blessed. So are all your boys. So are we, getting to share his mom-book.
There is a puddle on my floor, I think it's me, I have apparently melted completely.
And now I'm dead from the sweetness and cuteness.
FaveAuntie: Tried to get Youngest Son to make a card like this for Uncle John, but his teacher told him the card-making supplies are no longer available :( We'll have to figure something else out...Hope our FaveUncle is improving this weekend since his surgery -- he's sure been on our minds.
Mrs. F: Ooh, I've seen your sweet little girls. This idea has potential! Boys are always a few years lagging in maturity anyway, so I'm guessing this could work...
Laurie: Thanks so much for those book titles! (I've had "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens" on my bedside table for months now...Thanks for the nudge to actually read it.) Youngest Son had the same loss of confidence related to his organizational/focusing challenges, and we actually tried him on ADD meds last year after his teachers agreed they thought he was a classic case. Let me know if you need more info. about this -- hopefully you don't have to go this route, but it has helped Youngest Son a good bit and we're glad we did it. I'm going to check the library for "The Crumpled Paper" as well.
Jil: It's so fun to know of someone new (well, not new, but you know what I mean) out there has been reading me -- thanks for chiming in, and for your kind words. Hope all is well with your daughter and that new baby :)
SDA: Thanks! Will do...
Mel: I have a feeling you will. Following your blog, I am in awe of all you do with your little guys. That bond you've created doesn't go away, even when they become moody teens.
Big Fan: He starts middle school next year -- how can that be?! Your comment about how your boy is a minimalist about homework reminds me of Oldest Son. We tease him that he should lead workshops titled "How to maintain a B average with the least amount of work." Ahem. (Insert stern look at Oldest Son, here.) Hey, have you had your shoulder surgery yet?
NLw/D: You're right, I am blessed! And I'm keeping that card nearby, for the next time I forget it :)
Pooknelle: Awww...Thanks, fellow mom of three boys.
Lunch Date: Hopefully I can revive you over lunch sometime soon? Hoping we might have cause to celebrate one of these weeks. We'll see...