The photo attached to this blog is Olympic Gold Medalist and fellow Chattanoogan, Olivia Reeves. We are very proud of her here in Chattanooga. Weightlifting is not an easy thing to do, it takes strength and endurance. It is the same with estrangement. When you are estranged from your adult child, it feels like a weight that you carry every single day. Although, no matter what you do, no one gives you a gold medal. However, today, Nelson and I had a talk with my son, Jacob. Jacob is very wise and thoughtful. He has a beautiful heart. Even though our conversation was very difficult, we handled it with good communication, and the attitude that listening is the best option. It was not an easy talk. We allowed Jacob to express himself over the subject matter, and tell us his feelings. We validated everything he said. In the end, we had turned a major corner. He is going to work out some of these emotions he expressed with his therapist, and in our family therapy. It is the first time is almost a year that I feel the, "Weight Lifting," and that everything is going to be ok.
We still have a long way to go on this journey. There will be a lot of listening that will need to be done by us for the benefit of my adult children. I think that listening and validating my son's feelings was key. I gave no excuses, and neither did Nelson. The reasons behind anything we did in the past were not important. That is something better left for times that we are in Family Therapy. For the first time since this whole estrangement began, I feel hope. I do not feel that I am such a failure as a mom. I feel more like a human with flaws and failures just like anyone else and I can move forward knowing that the bulk of the weight is gone. I still will need to workout, and be ready for any extra weight added, and so will Nelson. We both feel more equipped and stronger. I know the family therapy is going to help and that together we will all be better and stronger.
Tomorrow morning, I go to Nashville where I will work with students and have dinner with a very good friend. I am going with my friend, Preston. I am grateful to him for always being with me and supporting me. Preston has a celebratory dinner to attend. We are going to have a good time. I feel more freedom now. I am so very grateful to God. God walked us through a difficult conversation today, and protected us all. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. I am also grateful and truly blessed to have a son who today, showed me how strong that he is. If anyone is a champion in life, it is him. I am amazed at his heart. Thank you God for the blessing of him.
Please remember that you are loved, and you are enough. We are here to support you. Comment below and let us hear from you. God bless you.
Comments