Being there for Harmon...

I'm learning as a mom very quickly that the most important thing I can do is simply be there for my children.  It is more important than soccer practice, it is more important than T-Ball or gym.  It matters more than what school I choose for them or when they go.  I learned that lesson again on Wednesday.

Harmon started his swim classes on Tuesday at NMSU.  He is a mid level swimmer learning proper strokes and so forth.  While waiting for the teacher and his turn, mid-lesson he just got bored and jumped in the pool.  He wasn't at risk of drowning but not following directions is NOT OPTIONAL.  He was swarmed by life guards, the swim program head, and myself in five seconds.  They warned him and I figured that was the end of it.

After class I saw him crying his eyes out.  We stopped and I sat with him.  He told me: "Mommy, I'm always getting in trouble.  I can't listen at school, gym, and swim.  They never let me play in t-ball and I'm just a loser who is bad.  I want to quit everything."  My heart broke for him.  We talk a lot and he often shares his struggles with me.  I try to always catch him being good and really encourage him constantly because I know that he struggles.  I just hugged him tightly and told him he is more than his struggles and he will overcome.

Afterwards I called for his swim teacher to come back out and Colin was sweet enough to encourage Harm not to quit.  Later that his gym teacher David also encouraged him and let him know how much he believed in Harmon, and loved him.   Last night, I went to the end of his T-Ball game after I finished important work.  I almost didn't go, but I made it just in time to see his one and only time to bat.  He made a run and was so proud.  It meant so much to him that I was there to see him.  Afterwards just him and I went for ice cream.  I was so glad I got there in time for just 15 minutes of a game.

Just like adults kids struggle.  They need love and encouragement and they need someone that loves them enough to be there for them and listen.  I was grateful enough God placed me in the right place at the right time to be there for him and it has alerted me to the fact that I always have to be on guard and be ready to be there for him.  I can't keep him from hurting, I can only be there to offer him hugs and kisses and be ready to listen and love when it happens.   I need to be there more for my kids.  I love them so much and I want them to know that each and every day.