I love that boy

I wanted to post earlier.
I would have named it "Whiney Today".
I would have complained (and whined, if you will) about how I'm sleepy, and how I'm getting sick, have a headache, and am hungry. I would have told you that I didn't feel like being here today- in fact, the only place that would have accepted me the way I was was my bed.
After a few bites of my Southwest Salad from McDonalds, and a few sips of my sweet tea, a very short conversation with my husband - I've come to a realization. I'm not hungry, or tired, or upset that I'm sick - I'm depressed that Tim's leaving today. God, I love that boy!
We go back and forth, every summer about something he's doing or something he's said or how he acts. Point blank: he's a teenager, experiencing the teenager attitude and thoughts and questions. I wonder why I can't just let him and all the teenage things just "be" instead of causing a ruckus every year. If I love him so much, why can't I just have patience with him?
I want him to enjoy Raleigh while he's here, and enjoy his NC family that loves him so much. Every year it gets bigger. Last year we added Christian and Jarrad. And while they're still around (thank God!) we've added Lauren, Steve, Cameron and Riley. They've given him a whole new set of family to work on next summer: the CATT family!
If there's one thing I want that boy to remember, it's how much he's loved here. And how much it hurts Chris and I both to only see him once a year, and to have to tell him good bye every summer before we're even ready to let him go. But, you have to also sheild your children - from seeing you cry. Seeing weakness in your parents does allow you to see and feel that they're only human, but for him to see us cry while we're waiving bye to him at the airport would make it worse for him. So... here I sit.... shedding my tears through black letters on this white "paper".

One weekend at the beach isn't long enough for a family summer vacation - but six weeks with your child isn't nearly long enough either....