Nature/Nurture: Part Too (as in also)

Sam recently turned fourteen.

A magical age when young people begin to realize their parents are fallible,

even, dare we say,

IMPERFECT.

It's a difficult awakening for both parties.

Luckily for me, Sam is our seventh child so I have already been

made fully aware of my foibles and deficiencies by those who went before him.

That trail has been blazed.

And,  truth be told, it's a bit of relief to be humbled and then just

get up, dust yourself off and carry on with a little more clarity.

At a later point in time, comes the day of redemption.

The phone call. Maybe a letter.

Wherein the former fourteen year old tells you:

"Oh Mom, you were right!"

Or you might even get the full heart-melting hallelujah:

"You should listen to Mom, she knows what she's talking about."

Spoken with wisdom and authority by an older sibling to a younger one.

Those days give me the courage to carry on.

Now, as it happens, Sam is a pretty reasonable kid. He can be a pest (just ask Shane) but he will show some restraint when called upon to do so. I also get a lot of positive feedback from adults who work with him about how mature he is, how insightful, how wise beyond his years.

So I try to keep that in mind when I am trying to get him to give me my phone and get his school work done.

Or stop bothering Shane and go to bed.

And, I try to take every opportunity to spend quality time with him--to strengthen the bond--so maybe my faults will be balanced out with good memories.

 I never thought I would see the day when Moms would be invited on Boy Scout outings--but I jumped at the first opportunity that came up a few years ago with Seth.

And since that turned out fine, I tagged along

recently with Sam.

To Cedar Creek Falls.

Practically in our own back yard.

After the three mile trek slipping and sliding down the mountain, fording the

San Diego River a few times.

(OK it wasn't even knee-deep)

Sam had a blast jumping from the rocks into the pool below.

I enjoyed watching him from my dry, warm perch on the sidelines.

The rope swing was another hit.

We huffed and puffed our way back up the mountain  to civilization, just as the sun was going down.

And today during Conference, when the speaker was expounding on the importance of a good mother's influence,

Sam turned to me and gave me a thumbs up.

Some validation?

And years ahead of schedule.