Learner's Permit

I know that this will come as quite a shock to those of you reading this, but this little blog of mine doesn’t have a very impressive readership.  I know, I know, hard to believe isn’t it?!  Let’s just say that being a quarterback’s doppelgänger will get you far more fame than writing a mom blog.  I do, however, have one loyal, dedicated fan who reads and rereads every word that I write.  Who actually asks when I’m going to write something new.  He’s the President and sole dues-paying member of my fan club, and today is his 15^th birthday.  So, it only seemed fitting that I “write something new” on one of my very favorite days of the year. . .

My Cooper,

We automatically associate turning 15 with getting a “Learner’s Permit”.  It’s funny actually, because in reality each of the 15 years you’ve lived so far have been one big Learner’s Permit.  When you really stop to think about how much you’ve learned in that snippet of time, it’s amazing.  15 years ago you couldn’t walk or talk or feed yourself.  Heck, even rolling from your tummy to your back was a HUGE accomplishment worthy of notation in the old baby book. 

 Learning what an Uneven Pavement sign looks like and who has the right-of-way at a four-way stop are small potatoes in comparison to all the learning you’ve managed to pack into life thus far.  The wonderful thing about being your Mama,though?  I’ve gotten to learn right along with you my precious boy.  And, while I mastered the art of rolling over quite some time ago, these are the things that you’ve taught me so far . . .

  1.  Think big thoughts and feel big feels.

  2.  A heart for others is a beautiful thing.

  3.  Ask Questions – lots of questions.

  4.  You can be both confident and humble.

  5.  Be loyal.  Even when it's hard.

  6.  Be genuine.  Be kind.  Be genuinely kind.

  7.  Sometimes you do the right thing just because it’s the right thing to do.

  8.  Making other people feel good makes you feel good.

  9.  Everyone needs a friend.  Why not me?

10.  Find the good.  There is always good.

11.  Look them in the eye and have a firm handshake, everything else will take care of itself.

12.  Cheer for the underdog; be a voice for the voiceless; defend the defenseless.

13.  Be appreciative.  Always.

14.  Give compliments. Mean them.

15.  Tell them you love them.  Often.  There’s no such thing as too often.

This morning when you opened your eyes you were 15 years old.  The first text you sent was to your Daddy, Grace, and me.  It had nothing to do with your birthday breakfast or your gifts or what special things were planned for the day.  Your first thought was for a friend who never got to celebrate his 15^th birthday, and your heart hurt for him and his family, and you needed us to hurt with you because it felt big and important that his loss not get lost in your joy.  We didn’t teach you that kind of BIG LOVE, Cooper.  You came to us that way, and we’re so incredibly thankful for the gift of your big, beautiful heart.  We still have so much to learn from you, and we just cannot wait to see what lessons this year holds!

There, I “wrote something new”.  I also needed to mention the Fan Club dues increase, but we can discuss that later.

                                                         More than you’ll ever know,

                                                                           Mommy