I Thought I Was Teaching My Son

At the 2001 Fair & Expo at Santa Barbara, California, the following article won First Place in Creative Writing - Inspiration, and Best of Show in the Creative Writing division.

I thought I was teaching

my son about courage;

then I stood by his bedside when

they wheeled him back after innumerable

surgeries patiently and silently enduring

what he had unabashedly dreaded.

I thought I was teaching

my son about faith, then he said,

"Be a good sport, sweetheart.

Everything's going to be OK, Mom.

I promise you Brent will feel better

and go on his mission.

I love you."

I thought I was teaching

my son about love, yet he

hasn't missed a day

since he started talking,

saying, "I love you, Mom.

How about a kiss.

You love my kisses, don't you?"

Often, he also says words like,

"I sure do love Brother Wilde."

"How come Aunt Shirley's

so good to me?

I don't deserve it.

I sure do love her."

I thought I was teaching

my son about family,

then he says "I have two favorite

brothers and two favorite sisters-in-law;

two favorite nephews and one favorite niece.

And one favorite sister.

No wonder I love my family so much."

"I love it when my sister Amy comes home!"

"We talked about families in seminary.

I told Allison that I loved you guys

and her family too."

"Who's Allison?" I queried.

"The girl who sits next to me."

I thought I was teaching

my son about compassion,

then even when he sometimes says

his life is hateful,

he pats me and explains,

"But I don't blame you, Mom."

I thought I was teaching

my son about understanding when still young.

As his aunt helped our critically ill

mother sit up in bed

to eat breakfast, he

cheered her on with,

"Sit up, Grandma."

Then when she was settled,

he rewarded her with,

"Good boy, Grandma!"

I thought I was teaching

my son about gratitude,

then I heard him say,

"Thank you for the breakfast, Mom.

It sure was good."

"Thank you for picking me up.

I sure do appreciate it."

"Dad's my man.

I sure enjoyed going with him yesterday."

"It's from Aunt Verla, Mom,

the one I'm thankful for."

I thought I was teaching

my son about forgiveness,

but when his spiritual leader

was cruel and controlling,

he kept right on going to church.

I thought I was teaching

my son to sing hymns,

as we sang a few each day

for his music education;

then though I'm a non-singer,

I learned alto well enough that I dared

sometimes sing it in church.

I thought I was teaching

my son about God,

and he tells me unashamedly,

"I love Heavenly Father and Jesus.

I do, Mom."

I thought I was teaching

my son about the universe,

then he said,

"I've been around the sun 26 times.

I've enjoyed it and I want to keep doing it.

It's so fun.

Spinning is the fun part, Mom.

I feel like we're on a giant top.

I've enjoyed

these past few days

and

past few hours."

I thought I was teaching

my son about the cosmos,

and he said,

"Don't you just love this planet, Mom?

It's the only home we've got."

"Can you believe we live on

Spaceship earth, Mom,

which is a planet?

And I'm grateful for it."

I thought I was teaching

my son about the weather,

and could hardly wait to tell him

about an enchanting snowstorm

during the night,

when he came downstairs

in the darkness of the early morning,

with his snow boots on.

I thought I was teaching

my son about loyalty,

when although his

social opportunities are limited

he said that he didn't want

to go to the Best Buddies Ball

"And miss all this?"

when we were having a family dinner

after his brother's concert.

In regard to his other brother,

he said, "I would like to go to Brooke's

concert tonight, Mom.

I know he needs me there

to support him."

I thought I was giving

my son opportunities

to read

when he explained,

"I don't like to read, Mom.

It distracts my thinking processes."

I thought I was giving

my son an education,

and I learned

so many interesting things

that somehow were missed

or forgotten

in my schooling.

I thought I was teaching

my son about culture,

and my soul was enlightened

and enriched

as we went to symphonies,

plays,

operas,

art museums,

and ballets,

to give him

opportunities.

I thought I was teaching

my son about exercise,

as I took him to the gym,

where I got addicted

to aerobics,

and sold on swimming.

I thought I was teaching

my son about travel,

and I got to go

to far away places

I never in my wildest dream

thought I would see.

Life's journey

had an intriguing twist.

I thought I was showing my son the path,

and I found my own.