Teach Your Parents Well

I have long since given up on figuring why my technical devices are so psychic and tuned into my universe. Whenever we say something like, "Hey, we haven't spoken with so-and-so in a while", invariably their picture will pop up on my Google Photo Screensaver.  It never fails, and at this point, we almost expect it to happen.  Same is true of my iPod.  If I put my iPod on shuffle, it will serve up exactly the right song for whatever feeling or situation I'm in.

The other day, I had to leave for work early before the kids usually got up.  I heard Adam moving around upstairs, so I went to say goodbye.  He was reading quietly in his bed, so as not to disturb anyone.  I gave him a hug and a kiss and explained that I was leaving early so I could see him right after school.  I gathered up my things and left the house into the bitter cold.  As I was walking to the garage, I heard the door open and Adam popped out to say, "Bye Mom, I love you."  Wow, what an incredibly sweet boy.  How did I get so lucky?  I ran over to give him another hug and shoo him back inside.

Later that week, Doug told me a story about picking the kids up from the bus stop.  The bus driver motioned to speak to him, which is almost always bad news about how the kids misbehaved.  But this time she wanted to tell Doug that Adam was incredibly sweet and kind to his sister.  Dova was falling asleep, so he moved to sit next to her, put his arm around her and let her sleep against him, protecting her.  It just melts your heart.

And he is truly remorseful when he does something wrong.  Once I was completely ticked off at him (for something that I can't remember), and he sheepishly came by with his wallet and this note:



He was going to give me all the money in his wallet.  This, from the "boy who loves money".  I was so touched that I immediately forgave him.  I still carry that note around with me in my purse.

I often think that Adam resembles Harry Potter.  I wonder if all moms think that their sons are like Harry.  I see Adam's unwavering love, kindness and loyalty as Harry's and I see my love for him as Lily's.  And reading all the books out loud to him has cemented our bond as well.

So when I was thinking about how blessed I was to have this amazing son, the Crosby Stills Nash & Young (although Young didn't play on it) song,"Teach Your Children," came up on my iPod.  I need to take the line, "Teach your parents well," to heart.  I have a lot to learn from Adam's pure heart.  Don't get me wrong, Adam is far from perfect, but his heart is so pure, it kills me.  Adam, please teach your parents well, and your sister too.