30 Days Of Thanks - Teenagers

I did not originally plan to write about being thankful for my teenagers.  I was going to write about my favorite mom treats.  Even as I was scouring and purging the basement my brain was busy formulating the mom treat post. Four hours later (I know right?! that's some quality basement cleaning time!) emerging from the abyss in a tired-grumpy state, I had to run and get my kids from school as the usual chauffeur that is the oldest child was not available. Tired-grumpy me is not a fun person and try as I might to be virtuous the best medicine is to nap away the grump.  Unfortunately, no napping was to be had between basement cleaning and student pick-up.  On the way, I started praying so my middle child will not be an innocent victim of my irrational wrath.  Let me tell you something about my middle child, if there is anyone who can calm my anger, it is this child.  He is very intuitive, quickly able to somehow tune in to my moods and respond accordingly.  Today when he entered the car the first thing he did was to make me laugh. Like his father he is a quick wit and brilliant at banter.  A naturally-gifted yet reluctant thespian, he can dance and sing my blues away.

Moving on to my daughter. I sometimes forget that we have a household of boys. But in her I find a true ally despite having to tolerate my somewhat flashy taste in everything.  A classic introvert, our conversations are usually deep as we toss out ideas and discuss books, movies, pop culture, music, faith, friendships, cultural trends, etc. Whereas I can be quick to form an opinion, she likes to examine it from all angles and challenge my preconceived notions. We love our girl time away from the football-crazy members of our home.  I cherish our usual walks weather notwithstanding (except when there's lightning or ice storm) as we frequent the same familiar haunts in our quaint neighborhood.  She still won't run with me but hey, nobody's perfect.  

And finally, my oldest.  What is not to love about that child?  Well okay, that requires its own post, lol.  Kidding, child! He will read this post so  I have to be kind.  And being kind is not hard to do with him.  Fun-loving, openly affectionate, and the most extroverted of all three, possibly all five kids really, he is a joy to parent. As my husband would say, he has always done whatever we have asked him to do. Deeply pious about his faith, I always learn something new from what he shares. I sometimes feel so badly for him for all the misfortunes he has experienced at such a young age - losses, near victories, major injuries, preempted adventures - experiences that taints what should have been happy memories, of experiences he could never get back.  Ugh, why am I teary-eyed writing this?!  Despite all of those, he remains an upstanding young man and my favorite 18-year-old.

Even as I write this they are cracking me up and dictating how I should write about them in a flattering manner. When I think about my relationship with my teenagers I can only call myself blessed.  And for them, today, I am so thankful.