Look How Far We've Come

Jackson has had band lessons all week. He's starting middle school and gets the opportunity to play drums in the band. I'm ever so grateful for Tyler, a very cool kid, who is willing to take Jack every day and provide the support he needs to be successful.

Like most things with Jackson, I wasn't sure how this was going to go. I lost sleep over how he would do and was worried we hadn't prepared the band director for just what to expect. I prepped Tyler, explaining that it was OK with me if Jax didn't make it the entire hour, "do what your comfortable with" I told him and I prayed. I hoped that Jackson could make it through at least part of the lessons each day. The first day, he stayed for the entire hour and Tyler reported he did "fine". The second day I expected him to return home early and that he would lose interest. Instead, when Tyler dropped him off (after staying with the lesson for the entire hour) Jackson cried and wanted Tyler to come back. He anxiously asked repeatedly yesterday about Tyler and band.

Tyler just picked up Jackson for day 3. Jackson couldn't get out the door fast enough, and then as I'm at the car door reminding him to put on his seat belt, he literally slammed the door in my face, as if to say, "mom, I can do this, you are not cool!"

I truly feel like this is God's gentle reminder: You've done right by your son; he is My child too, and he will succeed. It chokes me up. I want to make the best decisions for him. I want him to succeed. I refuse to give up on him and lower the bar. I refuse to remove the support system so strongly rooted in this community. Given the opportunity, Jackson rises to the occasion and shines.