Didn’t I just push him down 86th street to the local bodega for fresh vegetables and give him a lollipop for not touching anything???? Here we are at 18, graduated and on his way to UVM??? Saturday loved ones will gather and wish him all the best life has to offer! My feelings are jumbled and unpredictable even at times feeling inadequate as my husband and I send him off into the world. Have we done enough? said enough? Back when Band-Aids healed boo boos what will be the balm for his soul? The places that hurt? The sadness that occurs to every human being as they navigate the world? The disappointments, the rejections, the name calling, the feelings of lack and insignificance, at this juncture what kind of wisdom can you send a child off with??? My son has taught me so much about life even recently saying “mom when you yell at me it feels like you don’t like me…”
that was hard to hear but the good news is I heard it and was able to in turn listen and tell him I was sorry that I made him feel that way. It could be that I am trying to show him how hard life will be if he doesn’t do what I say…cause I know better but do I??? The one thing I have learned is that the big predictor of wisdom is experience and that I can’t give him. So why do I continue to insist I know better. Maybe his experiences will show another outcome. The one thing I do have is an enormous capacity to love and care for others and bring hope to a situation that may be dark and bleak. That is something I can share with him, that is my gift to him. Life doesn’t have to be hard when one has faith and I’ve always told him God is there to listen. So to my sweet boy I say take all your fears to that happy place where God is listening and watch the magic cause his plan for you my dear matty boys is better than you can possibly imagine.
37 Responses to “It’s Here my baby boy has graduated!!!!!!”
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Oh Jennifer you put it in wonderful words. It is tough being a parent when our children become young adults. My daughter just graduated from college this past Friday. We just want what is best for them. Your right, the best advice we can give to our kids and others is showing kindness and love to others. We are their best teachers.
Congratulations to your Son and also to you and your husband. π You watch the next four years are going to go by even quicker. Have a wonderful week!
Jennifer: You’ve given him the most important thing of all–and he’ll take that gift, add what’s uniquely him, and create a wonderful life for himself.
That brought tears to my eyes Miss Jennifer! It is so amazing the universal truths all mothers face. I think the same thoughts for my children! It was just a couple of months ago I sent my 3yr old son off to mothers day out worrying similar thoughts. Before I know it, I will be sending my boy to college!
Congratulations and best wishes!
my little man is just two, and reading your sentiments helps me to enjoy this day for what it is… a gift. it’s a gift to wipe up the peanut butter & jelly from his face and tidy up the family room for the thousandth time. it’s a gift to give him one more kiss and snuggle as i tuck him in for nap. it’s a gift to be a mom. thanks, jennifer.
Congratulations to both of you! I am a year away from graduating my oldest and am already feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.
oh lord I do not know what I will do when my boys graduate, probably go into a cave or celebrate, not sure these days. One thing for sure is I always tell them I will kiss them until they can take it no more! Congrads to your son and your family and the best of luck to him for the future!!!
Its a bittersweet time isn’t it. Hearing them and really taking to heart what they say is often painful but a lesson for all us moms isn’t it?
Congratulations to your son and of course to you two as parents. xo
what a special time for you and your family- the graduation…kudos for all the hard work.
when we left our oldest daughter at college I cried all the way home…just couldn’t believe she wouldn’t be home with us anymore..her 2 younger sisters were so sad and we all missed her so much. It is a right of passage…they need to go to grow and learn and she did, graduating from the Newhouse Communications school at Syracuse University and eventually landing a job as a film editor with Disney..not too shabby. Somehow it becomes normal again, the household settles into a new tempo and the younger ones seem to take over…life goes on…emotional times…
best,
carol
Again, I’m crying. What a beautiful description of what motherhood means and feels like…Huge congratulations to Matt for making it so successfully and maturely through the craziness of adolescence onto a bright and beautiful future. And huge congratulations to you Jen for doing the hardest job in the world so well! I think you’re children are incredibly lucky to have you for their mother.
It goes way too fast doesn’t it? Sounds like you’ve equipped him well. π
oh jennifer, what a beautiful glimpse into your mother-heart. i can not imagine what that day will be like for me too…& how quickly it comes.
congratulations to your baby boy
You expressed what my words cannot, and my son is only four. I’m already dreading the day that I send him out the door for good. It is hard for me to let him walk down the street to play with a friend…eventhough I’m standing there watching him the entire way.
Your son will do well in the world. You’ve given him love and a belief in God and those are the most important things. He will carry you in his heart the rest of his life.
So, big *hugs*. Everything will be alright π
My eyes are filled with tears.
It truly sounds like you have given him the roots and now the wings to go out into the big world and make a difference.
Awwww…
*sniff*
What a wonderful tribute to your relationship with your son!
This post made me so thankful my son is 11!!
Thanks, I needed that!
~Sadie
Oh goodness, I cannot stop crying over here! This is beautiful, Jennifer, and I have no doubt that your son has got one of the best mothers on Earth! Hugs and blessings to you and congratulations to Matt!
xo andrea
Very special words for your son. Congratulations to him. Hope you have fun celebrating.
*Heidi*
Ok, I’m drinking my morning coffee, looking for some inspiring ideas for sewing and now I’m crying like a baby. What timing… I’ve been really struggling with my mommy role this week and now I have a little perspective. As always, thank you! What a lucky boy he is…
LuAnn
congratulations to your son (and to you)….wishing all good things to come- xoC
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!
What a great tribute- the time is already flying for us, and this brought a few tears!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
congrats to your son!! Have a great weekend!!! xo Britt π
What a wonderful time with the whole world ahead of him & an amazing mother by his side. Thanks for the reminder that each day is a gift. My baby is just 2. I want to enjoy it all, like one other mother said perfectly even when you’re picking up the family room for the thousandth time. I know someday I will look back & long for these days……Thank you so much & congratulations to your son.
Jennifer,
This post gets me teary eyed! I know its coming for me soon….
Congratulations to Matt and to all of you. I know he must be a wonderful person with a mother like you! I am sure he is well prepared for the world out there and will be a huge success in whatever he does. We visited the UVM campus last summer and loved it–that is a beautiful part of the country!
Wishing you all the best…
annie
My son just turned 9, and my husband and I said, “Phew, only 8 more years to go!!!” Jokes aside (and I DO joke) I know that day will break my heart. As for the knowing if we have done enough to send our babies out into the world…well, I don’t think, as moms, we will ever stop questioning this…but it sounds to me like you have done your job.
Congrats to you. Not only do you make beautiful things, but you make beautiful children, as well.
let’s see…does THIS work?
AHA! It works now!!! Had to get rid of the www.http:///
THANK YOU for taking the time to let me know about the link issue!!!!!!
I’m so happy to hear about Matt’s graduation and his decision to go to UVM. HE will love it and you will love visiting him up there. Stay well. xxoo taylor
What a great post. I can’t believe my own are already 8 and 9 years old. I’ll be writing the same thing before long-lol.
You have so much to celebrate. Congrats!
Now there the other Jennifer P.–you’re just suppose to do blog posts about fabric and crafts and fairs and the like—not stuff that’s going to make me cry :)!!!
That was beautiful. My oldest is only 11 and I’m already wondering what it will be like to send him off on his own. Knowing what I know of you, I’m going to guess that your son will not only survive–but thrive–out there in the “real world”. You did good mama! Congratulations :)!
CONGRATULATIONS to your Master Matt AND to you!!! My Mattie Matt (yep, I also have a son Matthew ) also just graduated from high school a couple of weeks ago (June 6th) and his 18th birthday was just last week (June 17th) …. can’t believe how fast we went from “It’s a BOY” to “Congratulations on your graduation!”
jennifer,
i hear everything you said…my little man is heading off to college too…where did 18 years go? we are embracing the past as we look to the future!! congrats to you and your family!!
meleen
I enjoyed reading your blog and as the mother of a two year old son, I found myself tearing up. I wonder these things now for him because I know how fast life comes and goes. Thanks for sharing your wonderful advice and feelings.
Oh my goodness. You brought tears to my eyes just thinking about letting my own boys go off to college in just a few short years (well ok 12, but they will be short just the same.) Such sweet words from a mother to her son. Good luck to him and to you as you start down this new road together. God Bless.
Aww, congrats to your boy Jennifer! Brought tears to my eyes, how can we ever let our babies know how much we love them??? I’m sure he knows, you are a great Mom, I can tell π
Oh Jennifer, these are such beautiful words to your son. Congratulations to you both.
This will be me next year! Yikes! so emotional. (I’ll be looking to you for transition advice!)
Congratulations! A proud moment for dear mama indeed. Savor it.
peace,
amy