Today, I am missing my oldest son, Eric.  Even as I write this, I can feel emotions welling up inside.  (sigh) What a love story!  I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on him!  Always the little man, I jokingly say he came out 40, and most people that know him agree!

I’ve always “dated” my boys – always.  How else do you teach your son how to look for a wife and how to treat a lady?  I remember dressing up and taking him to Olive Garden, when he was about 4.  He called it kindergarden!  But he grew up so fast!

When he was 15, I had a dream that it was time to take him to college.  I cried so hard in my dream, that I woke myself up!  I remember telling that to my pastor and he replied “you still have 3 years to go”.  That was almost 8 years ago.  When he did leave in 2007, It felt like part of my heart had been ripped out of my chest!  I hugged Brent alot!  LOL (more on him next blog- he was my “valentine”) But in March of 2008, it had been over 2 months since I had seen him and I needed to see him badly.  I flew to Nashville and he made dinner reservations at the most wonderful place with live music, sitting on the balcony.  (smile) I did that often while he was in school.  Another favorite came in 2009.  It was Tuesday evening and I get a call – Hey mom – why don’t you come to Nashville and see Elton John with me this weekend?  I have an extra ticket. – Really?  (as I quietly race into the computer and pull up flights) I don’t know – are you sure?  He says – I can’t think of anyone else I would rather go with.  (melting heart)  Wow, Eric – I don’t know if I can get a flight that soon.  He says what about flight #1234?  I said – THAT’S THE ONE I AM LOOKING AT!  He says – I even have a free flight you can have – then you can ride home with me and keep me company.  (8 hours in car?  SURE)  We had a GREAT time.  We laughed, we cried, we sang, we danced.  Wonderful memory.  Then 2010, I fly to Nashville to help him move into his first apartment and we see James Taylor in concert.  What a beautiful evening.  Again, we laughed, we cried, we had a great time.  We got his apartment together and go and tour million dollar homes and dream and release faith.  We argue with our driver, “Lutz” (shhhh) and then it’s time for me to come home.  I sob all through the airport. 

Then there is the time in 2006 we go to Cinci to see Transiberian Orchestra, only to come home and sing a duet at the Smoot.  We were mistaken for a “couple” for the second time in 2 years.  He said – well I look much older, mom.  I said – get it right, I look so much YOUNGER!  haha 

2011 – my baby graduates from college with 2 degrees, with honors, and many awards.  He overcame adversity and the naysayers.  He is living part of his dream in DC  and today, I am missing him again.   So I find our song and send it to him.  The song, that in 2004 – before his first prom and in 2005 we danced to – Have I told You lately, that I love you – yes yes. 

So today, I am missing my boy, I am missing the little guy who drove me nuts in the grocery store, who always talked out of turn in school, who always dressed up every Sunday, who always had questions and had to know why and how, who has always loved government and politics,who was my most wonderful pianist for 7 years, who shares my humor, and fills my heart – with gladness, actually.  I am his biggest fan and his toughest critic.  I love him forever and I will like him for always…… What a privilege it is to be his mother and I am so thankful for the blessing of his life to me.  What a joy to know that I can share prayers with him and how we have so many times grabbed hands, prayed and agreed only to see the very thing we agreed upon come to pass.  That, is a priviledge!

I cannot wait to see all the dreams in his heart come to pass.  Wow.  I will stand and say, Look what the Lord has done, and I will bless the Lord for His faithfulness beyond all things. 

Still to come…… a trip for us to NYC, (ever since Home Alone) , a road trip with many Diners and oh yes, an inauguration. :)