This summer was a summer full of many surprises and a host of "this is my first time for this"....This is me and the kiddo right before I left him at his first "away from home" camp. First, pictures can be so deceiving. LOL, we are both grinning but to be completely honest, I was nervous at the idea of leaving my kiddo with strangers WITHOUT ANY TECHNOLOGY TO CONTACT ME. He was grinning but he'd spent majority of the time explaining how he "just knew" he wouldn't like this outdoor camp.
Lesson learned. He had a blast and I was glad that he spent time away from home meeting new friends and being surrounded by camp counselors from all around the world. The even bigger lesson? We limit ourselves by comparing something new to what we are used to. In this world, you have to have faith to jump out and take a risk. We get so comfortable in our reality that we fail to do that.
Being a single mom has had some struggles. And there are times I've watched my child's self confidence dip. Being a mother of a man-child, he wants to "fit in" with the guys and be "one of the guys." And as a mother, you know when your child is lacking confidence. He'd gotten to that place and despite all of my efforts and positive affirmations and reminders of how great he was, it just didn't connect with him. But, after all, I'm mom. He went to this camp and camp back the self confident child he'd been before. And for the entire hour ride home, he talked about how great it was and then looked at me and said, "you know mom, I'm back. I feel like my old self." He was on cloud 9.
I often think back to that day as I watch him each day. And I'm super thankful that there are people who are called to speak positively into our lives. You never know who may need to hear it. I've always made sure to speak positive things into my child but sometimes, he needs that affirmation from someone else. So, the next time you feel the urge to affirm someone, do it. It can change their entire perspective.
Live, laugh, love...and enjoy every day of this life. You only get one.
