The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
My grandson is a freshman in high school. His life hasn't been a walk in the park. He has all sorts of reasons to feel sorry for himself, but he doesn't. He just keeps his head down and keeps going despite various things that aren't to his liking. I stayed with both my daughter and my grandson Christmas Eve until early this morning when roads were a little less slick. I knew I had to get to work. His Mom was gone and he loves to sleep in, but today, he helped his Nana carry things to my car. Then, he re-cleaned the rear windshield for me. I asked him if he wanted to go with me to my office where he could earn money shoveling the sidewalks and steps. "No, thank you, Nana, I have enough.
I know the amount of money he has. He received a little from his allowance and a little from me for his Christmas. That's all he wants. He has enough! What beautiful words to hear from the mouth of a teen on a slippery, snowy Thursday when I was mentally sliding into wanting more sun, more dry roads, more time off, more, more, more....Thanks to him, I know the truth. I have enough! I am enough. My life is good.
Thank you all for your responses. This boy has been one of the great joys of my life. He was a very easy baby, a smart toddler, a sensitive 3 to 4 year old, a people liking 6 to 9 year old, and a special grandson now who has filled my life with wonder and with wisdom. I am happy that his "enough" was something that touched you in positive ways, too.
(((MIP family)))
I love that you were proud of his assertion that he had "enough" money. I know that some would put a negative spin on it; you know, those that need to find fault no matter what. My grandmother (and oh I do love her) would have said "well, I offered him some work but he was too lazy to do it". You accept that he can determine his own needs and that's so wonderful. What a beautiful attitude you have towards him. You're both lucky
Oh, Melly. You opened yet another story about him that I just have to share! I can't help it. I'm his Nana. He has had a childhood friend for years who has had everything that could possibly be purchased for him by his grandparents. When he was about 9 years old, he told me that he felt jealous towards his friend and all the things he had that my grandson didn't have. Then he said, "But you know what, Nana! I'm his best friend. Being jealous of what my friend has isn't being a good friend. Besides, I have all that I need and I don't need all that I want." This all came from him - not with any coaching from his Mom or his grandmom. He works to earn money at my house and he works at his house but he works for only the money he needs and not what he wants all the time. What a gem, this boy! What a gem! He teaches me so much just by being him.
Thank you so much for your affirmation of him and of me. You have a way of being that is inspiring to me, too.
-- Edited by grateful2be on Friday 27th of December 2013 10:40:26 AM
-- Edited by grateful2be on Friday 27th of December 2013 10:41:26 AM
TY, Mercedes. He is a great kid. He does have it programmed in his brain since he was born - you are a good boy and you'll be a good man. Now, if I say it, he grins. He knows the drill. Truth is: He is a good boy and I hope he chooses to become a good man. If he chooses to be otherwise, well, his HP will be there to catch him when he falls. Nana will be working her program.
