Thursday, April 05, 2007

You Are My Sonshine

Making Dale and I laugh at the hospital..

I am blessed in many ways, but one of the things I am most grateful for in life is my son. He is such a good and kind person.

It’s a fact; I have the most excellent son. Not only does he love me dearly but he is not at all afraid to say it or show it. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t say “I love you, mom”.


Wolf and Cousin Kay on our hiking trip--I hope she doesn't see this picture, cuz she'll kick my bum!

When we are together, he hugs me frequently. This is in PUBLIC, mind you, and he is 24 years old. He will even do it WHEN HIS FRIENDS ARE NEARBY! Sure he calls me “dork” and sometimes even “dork breathe” (don’t ask), but I never doubt for a moment that he loves me and will always be there for me.

Like last night.

He had been upstairs playing World of War(crack)craft with his best friend Val. I was already on the couch, snuggled in for the night when he came home. He asked me how I was feeling after donating blood products that afternoon. I told him I was fine; then started to drift off. I was nearly asleep when I sensed movement nearby. I opened my eyes to discover that he was putting another blanket over me. It almost made me cry.

With Dale during the transplant. Wolf hates needles, the hospital makes him queasy and very uncomfortable, but it didn't stop him from being there for Cousin Dale.

Does it get any better than that?

I wouldn’t have thought so until this morning.

This morning my dear, sweet, wonderful son told me he was worried about me. He said I was spending too much time at the hospital and that I should take a break. He said he was afraid I would wear myself out and get sick; then what good would I be to Dale?


When I argued, saying I was fine (as I always do) and that I never get sick (which I don’t) he told me he would forego his role-playing game and take me to the hospital tonight after work. We could spend a couple of hours with Dale and then come home. When I tried again to argue, he shushed me and I swear he was going to take my car keys if I didn’t agree.

I had no choice, so home I stayed. And it has been a very, very good day. I worked over the internet quite a bit, e-chatted with a very good friend and watched the Atlanta Braves stomp the Philadelphia Phillies.

Grinning, as usual...

Life is good!

29 comments:

KGMom said...

Well, friend, I do believe the apple falls near the tree. Wonderful that he is such a thoughtful sweet son--but then look at who is mom is!

thailandchani said...

I agree with kgmom. You have a wonderful son because you raised him to be a wonderful son. :)


Peace,

~Chani

NatureWoman said...

Wow, what an great son, raised by an excellent Mom!

threecollie said...

He sounds like a delightful young man....which means that you did a good job there.

Unknown said...

Awww... What a sweetheart he is!!!

How is Val doing, by the way?

Anvilcloud said...

A kind and considerate child is such a joy to a parent's heart.

LittlePea said...

You raised him right. What a nice boy!

Mary said...

The nut doesn't fall far from the tree. You raised a wonderful son, Laurie. The comment you made about the blanket touched me. I have a daughter who is 24 and every day, we each tell each other, "I love you." Let him coddle you and accept it. You are worth it and he deserves the satisfaction. Am I right, here?

WithinWithout said...

What everybody else said. Whether it's apples, nuts, acorns, leaves or dead squirrels, none of them fall far from the tree.

You're both lucky to have one another -- and Dale's lucky to have you both.

dmmgmfm said...

KG, you are too kind, thank you.

Chani, he's a real gem.

Naturewoman, thank you, I'm blushing now...

Threecollie, thanks. He's a real joy to be around.

Courtney, thanks for asking. Val is doing quite well. He's a strong young man.

AC, you are absolutely right!

Mspea, thank you.

Mary, I am a nut, thanks for noticin'.

WW, are you calling me a squirrel? ;-)

Pam said...

Your son is a stellar young man...I dare say you had something to do with that.
The blanket would have made me cry, for sure.

Anonymous said...

I have fallen of the map here lately but I am trying to catch up and stuff. I hope Dale is doing well. I see that he has gotten the marrow. I can't imagine what it imust feel like to be away from HOME so long. Even though I have not been visiting lately I have been keeping you in my thoughts. I think again as before, you are such a strong lady!

Bonita said...

How many times did you lovingly wrap a blanket around your son and kiss him goodnight when he was young? I suspect he wants to feel just as you did, abundantly grateful for the opportunity to love and cherish.

My continued good wishes for you and your dear family.

Unknown said...

Wow.
I was a total jackass at 24.
Sounds like you did something right.

dmmgmfm said...

Pam, thank you. Though I was a single mom, my parents and brother helped out a lot. I have to give them quite a bit of credit for how he turned out.

Butterfly, I hope you are okay. I have been thinking about you. Please let me know if there's anything I can do. We are doing well here. It appears that the transplant is working, though it is a bit too early to tell for sure. There have been some dark days, but it looks like things are turning around. Thank you for caring.

Bonita, somehow, on this trip, the roles have changed. I used to take care of Wolf...but now, while I take care of Dale, Wolf takes care of me.

dmmgmfm said...

Helen, I was a total sh*t from the age of 17 until I turned 24. Then I gave birth to Wolf and turned back into a human being.

Wolf, on the other hand, has been nice and kind and sweet his whole life. I don't know that I had a lot to do with that...but thanks!

Cathy said...

Yes, Laurie - your dear, sweet, wonderful AND 'wise' son. We all need a little time to regroup. I know this so well.

I got a lump in my throat as you related his placing the blanket over you.

Everyone above is spot on: he is what you raised him to be. Of course, he is his own special person who as Mary points out needs to show love to his special mom.
I just keep thinking how lucky Dale is to have you pulling for him.

steve'swhirlyworld said...

Yeah Wolf! I'm glad you have that relationship with your son. That's awesome! Have a nice holiday weekend!

dmmgmfm said...

Cathy, I honestly feel that I'm the lucky one. Being with Dale (and spending all of this time with my son) has changed me for the better. I think I'm getting more out of it than I'm putting into it.

Steve, thanks, I hope you have a great weekend as well.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

You are both blessed to have each other. He sounds like a true sweetheart.

I hope your cousin Dale is doing well, too.

Squirl said...

Your son is wonderful. It's so sweet how he has no problem letting you know how much you mean to him. This is definitely a thing to cherish.

And, I thought I was the only squirrel 'round this here blog.

Cathy said...

Just wanted to send hugs and healing wishes to you, Dale and Wolf. I hope yours is a weekend of shared smiles and the gift of laughter.

dmmgmfm said...

Hearts, Dale is doing pretty well. I won't kid you, there have been some dark days, but they think he is turning the corner now. I'll blog about him soon. Thank you!

Squirl, don't worry, you are the one and only Squirl. Anything else is just a cheap substitute.

Cathy, thank you so much. I wish you the same.

Paul said...

Doesn't get better than that -

Jacob said...

I am encouraged, Laurie. And thinking of Dale and of you. Tomorrow is Easter. Today is Easter.

dmmgmfm said...

Paul, thank you so much for stopping by. You're right, it just doesn't get any better.

Gawpo, thank you for thinking of us.

Unknown said...

You and your son are one and we are all so fortunate to get a glimpse.

Thank You

dmmgmfm said...

Dave, he's a real gem, thank you!

Carol said...

Beautiful smile! You are blessed to have such a wonderful son and I agree with kgmom - he got it from you!