My 18 year old daughter went off to college back in August and I was like every mother who finally realizes that the cute little bundle of joy who you held in your arms some 18 years ago was preparing to take the first step into “adulthood” and go off to college. I must admit that I was a bit concerned because I wasn’t going to be around to make sure that she:
- Got up in time for class
- Ate healthy, well balanced meals each day
- Studied and kept up with all of her assignments
- Made the”right” friends
- Made overall good choices
- Remembered all of the good values and morals that we had tried to instill in her over the past 18 years
I was so excited about her coming home for the holidays, and I was delighted to see the responsible young woman she has become. She kept assuring us that she was doing well in school, but of course we were waiting to see the grades for ourselves and sure enough she made the Deans list!!!!
For some reason, I hadn’t put up our Christmas tree this year and I knew that my son was a bit disappointed, but I figured it was 2 days before Christmas, so it really didn’t make sense to put it up at this point. Imagine my delight and surprise when I got up this morning, went downstairs and saw that sometime during the night or wee hours of the morning, my daughter had put the tree up.
It was such a thoughtful gesture on her part that clearly made her younger brother very happy and that took the pressure off of me.
Isn’t this what we all wish for as mothers, that our children will grow up into thoughtful, productive members of society that we can be proud of.
Beautifully wrapped gifts are great, but this expression of thoughtfulness, consideration and love from my 18 year old daughter was one of the best gifts I have ever received.
Blessed Christmas!!!!!
