Unexpected Surprise

Mondays are always tough. The weekend seems to go by in a blink. I have been extremely tired lately -- just seems I can't get a spark of energy to ignite. Before I went to bed last night, my 18 year old son handed me his laptop & told me I needed to fill in the parental income information section of a college scholarship application. I had been after him for weeks to complete the application, which was supposed to be postmarked no later than April 1st, which was Sunday, making today, April 2nd, the last possible day to mail it on time. I was tired and cranky and pretty annoyed that I had to get my tax return so I could put accurate information in. When I was finished, he still had to finish his application and then he printed it out. He told me I needed to sign and date the second page, and would I mind putting it in a big envelope, too. I said that I would bring it to work with me today, copy it and get it to the Post Office. As it turns out, today was the first day of his spring break. I work in our school district's Alternative High School, but being a secretary, I don't get a spring break. But I was blissfully alone...no students...no teachers...no Principal...just me. So it is a nice break. I settled into work and pulled out Ryan's application. I signed and dated the second page and then decided to go through it page by page, to make sure it was complete before I copied it and mailed it. In the middle of the application were two essays he was required to write. One was about what he wanted to do with his life and it revolved around sports, music, knowledge and having a career that would make him happy. He really has a knack for writing. The second essay was for one of the scholarships that required an essay that shows how he has coped and/or is coping with an obstacle in his life.  His essay was well written and thoughtful, about the fateful day in July 2008, when he found his father face down in a pool of blood on our back deck. It was supposed to be a carefree summer for him before starting High School. Instead, his whole life changed. Of course, that was the day we discovered his dad had a brain tumor. In the essay, Ryan went on to explain that he had to grow up faster than his peers. I felt a lump begin to form in my throat and then read on that these past 4 years he has been inspired by me! He said that I did everything I did before, but more, to make our lives seem as normal as possible through all the changes. He said that I showed him that he needed to work as hard as he could at school and take on extra responsibilities at home in order to have a great life in the future. He will have a wonderful life because he makes life wonderful. It was a lovely Monday morning surprise to read my son's words. My baby boy is going to be just fine out in the world. I didn't feel as cranky as I headed out to the Post Office to mail his scholarship application on time, with a little spring in my step!