Man-child's New Job

            Man child started his summer job through the city’s youth works program.  We are very excited because he has applied in the past and has never been selected.  The program is only for 6 weeks but it is better than nothing.

                Preparing for this summer job came with my usual reminders and hints – make sure you have something clean to wear; make sure you have all your paper work together; be sure to check the bus schedule so you know when to leave and how long it takes to get there; make sure you have exact bus fare; make sure you have your cell phone and it’s charged; and if you are not taking lunch, make sure you have money to buy something to eat.  I got the usual response “I know Ma”.  Man child asked “do you think I should set my alarm clock?”  My reply “Yes, since you will be heading to college in a few months, you need to get in the habit of setting your clock and getting YOURSELF up cause I am NOT going to be there”.

                The big day arrived and at 5:45 am his alarm clock rang and I heard him hit the snooze button.  For the next 20 minutes the clock sounded every five minutes and he hit the snooze button.  I sat at the dining room table, drinking my tea, wondering how long I should let this continue.  Finally, at 6:20 am, he headed to the bathroom.  Then, he decided that the shirt he wanted to wear needed to be washed. He ran to the basement to put a small load in the washer.  I said nothing.  At 7:15 am, he was looking for his hair brush, the iron and his wallet.  I asked again, “do you have everything you need and enough money?”  His reply “Ma, I got this”. 

                I left my house for work at 7:45 am.  Man child was still running around in this underwear.  I estimated that he should have left the house by 8:15 am to catch his bus at 8:25 am.  It is about a 20 minute bus ride so he should arrive at the job site on time.  I sat on the train with my kindle reading a scripture to start my day.  Then, I let out a HUGE breath and I said a prayer for my Man- child.

And the next journey begins.....

Now that school is out, Man child and I have been having long detailed conversations about setting goals, staying on task, independence and a whole lot of other things.  I will admit – I am nervous as heck but I have FAITH that I have prepared him enough for this next journey in his life.  What I did not see was his new found interest in my next journey.

A few days ago, I went out with some friends.  That’s no big deal because I go out often and many times by myself.  But this time it was different.  First, Man-child was very critical of what I put on (It was a Semi-formal All White Affair) and he offered to iron my blouse.   He must have told me three times to call home to let him know I arrived safely- he has NEVER done that.  Nevertheless, I called home to let him know I arrived and jokingly, I told him not to have any girls in the house and if he did, to keep the noise down since his grandmother was downstairs.  We laughed and he told me to have fun.

When I got home, somewhere after midnight, Man-child greeted me at the door.  He gave me a hug and began to sniff. Here’s our conversation:

Me:  what are you doing?

MC: Making sure you weren't drinking

Me: Boy, what’s your problem?  You know I don’t drink when I am driving.

MC: Did you have fun?

Me: yes

MC: Who was there?

Me: People

MC: Did you dance?

Me:  Yes

MC:  with who?

Me: Did you have company over?

MC:  No, I was in battle tournament on the computer

Me: did you check on your grandmother?

MC: Yes, Gramps is fine. Why are you trying to change the subject?  Who did you meet and was dancing with?

At that point, I told him to get out of my way so that I could get ready for bed.  After I showered, he came into my bedroom and said “So this is what it’s going to be like when I go to college”.  I thought about it for a few minutes and said “yep”.  He replied “I am not going to like this”. 

And so the journey has begun….

Thank You

   I have been writing this blog in my head for an entire month and it has been difficult.  Looking back, just over Man-child’s high school years, I still wonder how we were able to get through it.  His first girl-friend, the break-up, her being admitted in a psyc hospital, the up and down grades, sports try-out, teacher’s conferences, dances, mentoring programs, Man-child hair drama, one uncle’s death and the other being shot, invasion of the Rugrats, college visits, SAT –ACT test, college applications, proms, and finally GRADUATION.  I am sure there is more that my mind cannot remember or refuses to acknowledge. 

   Through it all I GIVE THANKS to the CREATOR for trusting me to raise one of his sons.  I THANK him for giving me strength, courage, and FAITH.  I THANK him for providing me with AWESOME Sistah Friends from every corner of the United States for showering us with support, comforting words, friendship and Love.  I THANK Man-child for being my son and I will continue to PRAY that he continues to mature to be an AWESOME man of God.  I THANK the CREATOR for being the Almighty.