I just finished dropping my girls off for their music lessons. I've already cleaned up after the teenage boys who made a mess of my living room last night. Being a mother and aunt comes with responsibility, but it comes with great reward.
It ocurred to me this morning as I was cleaning up after these boys that in just a few short months, this whole experience would be over for me. It is a bittersweet thought. I know Matt will do just fine without me but in the past weeks he has really became a big part of my family.
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My two girls are a bit too young to really know what is going on with their cousin. They don't really get why he's living with us. I just tell them that he needed to come here for a while. They have certainly enjoyed having him around. He plays with them and spins them in the air. They like that alot. They look up to him and I know they are learning from him because I am.
My husband and I try to be excellent role models to our kids. We try to provide a loving open environment for them to grow into the individuals they want to be. This whole experience has helped me realize that not every child has that. Some children are forced to do things that are not part of them. Some are taught to hate part of who they are. That is a very sad thought.
This afternoon I am waiting on a call from my sister (Matt's mother). She always calls me on Saturday afternoons. When she calls, I think I'm going to tell her what a great son she has. I'll tell her how her son organized a group of teenage boys to clean up an old ladies yard. I'll tell her how he has inspired me and even made me question my views of religion and god. I'm sure she realizes she has raised a wonderful son who is quickly turning into an adult. I'm hoping the words I say will make her realize that right now even though she might not feel like it, she did a good job raising the kid.
Enough of my ramblings, the point of my diary is that not all kids have someone who can guide them and nuture their spirits. In light of the kindness Matt and his friends showed an old lady, and my promise to do something kind, I have decided to be a mentor to a little girl though the Big Sisters program.
Now, back to waiting for that phone to ring.
UPDATED: I just had a very short 15 minute conversation with her. She asked immediately how Matt was doing. I told her about the yard work yesterday that he did. Good news for me and Matt: Her and husband are going to reimburse me for expenses and even send money weekly to pay for his expenses. This is huge for my family! She mentioned therapy for him and I told her that I had enrolled him in therapy. She didn't like that because it "isn't the right kind of therapy". I asked her to think about seeing a therapist herself with her husband. She said they've talked about it. That was the end of the conversation. She had to go.
Two things: It's good she asked about him and they are willing to pay his expenses. Second, I am disappointed that she thinks he is in the wrong kind of therapy. I can see this will take time.