Preparing for High School

I took today off from work to attend MW's (MiniWarrior)High School Forecast meeting at his Middle school.

It is the first such luxury for me--to be able to take time off work without stress or worry--to focus totally on MW and his future.

He sat so tall beside me. So handsome. We were surrounded by goofy 8th graders, hair flipping in their eyes, their wrangly bodies dressed in a variety of sweatshirts and over sized tee shirts. I looked at them all with a smile. They are so young. Their whole life ahead of them. This was the first steps into adulthood for them all.

I walked with MW after the meeting to his classroom. He called out as I was slipping out the door, "I love you, Mom!" I paused, smiled, sighing inside myself.

"I love you too, Baby"

It is a testament to his sweetness that he didn't balk at my slip of calling him Baby.

He smiled, waved and I closed the door, exiting his school world.

I can't express to you how dear this boy is. How sweet. How infinitely precious he is.

He has such challenges but he faces them head on with an openness of spirit that makes those of us who carry scars, wince.

I was so worried he would be bullied when he hit middle school. He never has been.
I think it is his sheer openness. His complete lack of guile that acts as a bubble of protectiveness around him.

He attends a teen night at an open gym on Friday nights. Regular teens hang there with limited supervision. The first time he was old enough to attend the teen night, I paid the fee and turned to leave--thinking not to cling to him and embarrass him in front of the other teens.

"Mom wait!" He called out and pulling me into a hug he kissed me softly on my cheek. "I love you, Mom".

I hugged him stiffly, hoping to prevent his being labeled as a Momma's boy. A group of teen guys watched the display and one of them snorted.

MW turned and smiled his magical, guileless smile at them and I watched the derision wipe from their faces and softness enter their eyes.

MW is like that. Everyone he meets, cannot help but love him.

Have I mentioned how much I love him?

*smile*

He fills my heart with such joy.