a little bit of {this and that}

“When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself. ” - Jacques Cousteau

I try to pick Archer up from school most days. Yes, I know school is only a half-mile(ish) away. Yes, I know that he is 15 years old. Yes, I know I do not need to pick him up. But I like to. I do it because I want to. I want to see him in those few moments after being released from learning and friends. I want to hear about his day immediately (because otherwise it may not happen). I want to tell him if I bought his favorite iced tea or that I signed him up for driver's ed. I want him to know that those few moments, because sometimes all it is is a few moments alone, is important to me.

Yesterday he gave me this ^^^ paper. His health teacher gave them each one to wear and some to give out. He methodically looked through saying, "not this one" "nope" "maybe this one" until he got to the one he wanted me to have. Evidently I'm doing a great job. After losing my cool a few too many times these past few days I'm glad to know that he still thinks I'm doing a great job. When he gave it to me he told me it fit me best because it meant all the other things (positive statements) put together and that he thinks I do a great job at being a mom. That is all I want. Love my boy.

“The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention. ”—Richard Moss