Saturday, October 1, 2011

Unconditional Understanding

"I am disappointed in you," she texted him.

He didn't respond, as she knew he wouldn't. What could he say. He knew what she was talking about.

She thought about him. The following day. All day.

The more she thought about it the more ironically calm disappointment she felt.

He was so polite when he walked into the house that evening, wanting to smooth things over. "Hi," he cheerfully greeted the family. Her.
"Hi," she quietly said. She didn't know what to say. She didn't want to forget about it, but she didn't want to get into it either.

He cleaned. Did the dishes. Rearranged his room. She noticed. His effort. She just didn't say anything. It somehow seemed inappropriate to say something positive at the moment.

Soon after, he left for the evening. To hang out with friends.

She was in bed, unable to sleep, when he returned.

The next evening, family dinner night had been reinstated. A time to spend with the kids. Just to talk. About life. Their lives.

A good time was had despite the underlying issue the two of them needed to resolve.

On the ride home, she broached the subject.

"So? What was that all about?" she inquired.

He went on to explain himself. She listened, wanting to understand his side. How he was seeing things. He talked and talked. So did she.

She pulled into the driveway. Turned off the car. They sat. Talked and talked some more. He told her some of his secrets. Secrets usually reserved for friends. She knew this was a turning point for them. A new definition of their relationship. She embraced it. He appreciated the fact he could open up to her.

He is growing up. Finding himself. She's been there. Done that. She understands.

A few days later, when he walked in from work, she hugged him. Tight. Kissed his cheek. Hugged him again. "I'm just happy you come home. You are here," she gently said.

"I love you, too, mom." He looked at her. Smiled. His happiness smile.

8 comments:

  1. There is always that awkward time when they are exploring their boundries and learning to become adults. Wonderful!

    Tammy

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  2. Beautiful post ...glad i've found your blog!

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  3. Hard to let them make mistakes, to let them go.

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  4. Savor every moment he shares with you. Too soon he will be out on his own with his own family and those wonderful moments between mother and son will be gone forever. I know.

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  5. Thank you for the compliments....
    It's definitely a hard job raising kids... Hoping you're doing it right...
    Letting go.. Letting them learn through their mistakes....
    Kat... I live with that thought every day.... So I do make the most of my moments, right now.....

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  6. This is such a very touching post.

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  7. Lovely post danneromero. I learn so much from you about the other end of parenting. Thanks for joining the Weekend Rewind. We are back on Jan 6 x

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