Sonic Run

Having three kids gives you PLENTY of opportunity to see how you've screwed up.  Especially as they have gotten older.  You just pray that your mess ups, have not truly messed them up.  That one day as an adult, my son is not laying on a couch spilling crap to a therapist about how messed up his childhood was.

As dysfunctional as my childhood was, I am the "normal" one of my siblings.  It  took my getting to my breaking point at 19 or 20 years old and God meeting me where I was.  But that is another story.....  This time I want to talk about my friend down the street growing up.

I had a friend down the street named Janice.  She was old enough to be my mom, but she truly was a friend. We made runs to Sonic for a Cherry Limeade and onion rings just to sit in her car and talk.  She made time for me even though I was stupid kid with way too many issues.  Yeah, she had plenty of issues of her own, but maybe that is what helped us bond.  Janice's friendship was there through the twists and turns of adolescents when I needed someone stable to love me and listen. As an adult, I realize how special and needed that friendship was to me.

My two oldest are boys and you basically have to pry any information out of them growing up.  I unfortunately didn't really get to know any of their friends.  I only remember having one of Joey's friends go hiking with us once.  Even now, I still don't know who Joey considers to be good friends.  Luke is thankfully close friends with some one we have known their family forever.  My boys are basically adults and I just pray for God to watch over them and make good choices.  Just looking back, wish I did things a little differently.

Faith has been a change from the secret society of boys.  She tells me most (not stupid enough to think I know it all!!) of what is going on in her life. I started having band nights once a month

with a group of her friends.  Yeah, I am sure that she probably wishes that I just would drop her off, but it has given me an opportunity to get to know her friends.  (It has also given me a chance to know her boyfriend as well.  I am happy to say that my girl has good taste.)  I've built relationships with the girls.  They have my number and have texted me before.  I've texted them as well.  It has given me that chance to be that adult friend for some one else.  Some one that can love on them, listen, give advice, but is not mom.  I know as long as I try those relationships will grow with time.  We all need a cheerleader in the background.  I'm fine with being that person.  Who knows what they will be facing in the text few years of their life?  High school is around the corner and there is both good and bad during those three years.  I want to be that person willing to make that Sonic run or if it's really bad, grab a tub of chocolate ice cream and sit at the park with two spoons.  :)