You have to teach them how...

Ok, so, I am participating again in the October, Photo-A-Day challenge, and well, I am glad I am.

Because I snapped this, this morning, I had just dashed in from my morning run, and we were about to dash right back out the door.

And Scott was putting the "finishing touches" on Chap for the day.

You see, it's picture day.

And, Chap is also in a "Men of Distinction" group at school. So, they dress up once a week. And, today, is that day.

So, Chap has been working on his TIE-ing skills :)

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And here's where the lesson comes in.

Scott always works on turning things into "teaching moments".
And he is very verbal about the fact that our kids have to be "taught" the simple skills in life.
Like, how to shake a man's hand.

You just aren't born knowing how to give a firm, solid, manly handshake.
As a matter of fact, at my age..ahem...I still don't know that skill. Why? Because I wasn't taught that skill..because I didn't need it.

you get me?

So, I digress.

Scott does a great job, and I am continually thankful for his role as a "teacher" to our boys. Teaching them life-skills to be men.

So, this morning, as they were getting ready, I think the best part about this, is the way that Chap is so focused and watching his Daddy, and maybe, I just wanna think that he was soaking it all in. Ya know?

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Now, if I could just get Scott to teach them how to wash dishes.....oh wait...I think I need to teach him first :)

I am ok with being "that mom".....

It's 3:42 am. And I can't sleep.
As I sit pouring over photos, looking thru the BAZILLION pictures that I took during Football Season, I can't help but remember how many times the guys whined like baby girls :

"come on, don't take another picture"
"hey, look, there's Smith's mom again, with the camera"
"Oh my gosh, you are NOT taking a picture of that"

And then last night, as I took some pictures to a mother, grieving the loss of her 18 year old, and teammate of Mason's.....I can't help but hear that over and over in mind.

As I gave her the pictures. One by one. Because she couldn't handle more than one at a time.
She touched them. She held them. She rubbed his face. She cried out with a voice that no mother should ever project.
And at that very moment, with the trembling in her lips, she said "this is all I have left"
It chills my arms as I type.

This. Is. All. I. Have. Left.

Yes, isn't it true.

No one wants to have their picture taken. And no one wants to be IN a picture. And NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE wants to see "that mom" coming with camera quick at the ready on my shoulder.

But, then, in the end, it's all you have left. Yes, you have your memories. But they jump out at you if they are captured in a photo.

You can see their twinkle in their eye. You can see the way that one little hair always curled wrong. You can see that scar from when they fell riding their bike, and you were so sad that they would have a scar. And now you are so thankful for that scar, because it shows character.

And so, as I approach Mason's Senior Year, and all of the memories that lie ahead, already in progress, and soon a part of his past, and then Chap quickly approaching....I think my motto for the next few years will be this....

Watch out boys, am 100% ok with being "that mom"
Now lemme go stock up on a few memory cards :)