The end of 2014

I keep thinking about this past year. All the ups and downs, meeting new friends, keeping in touch with not so new friends. The trips, the vacations, the photo gear.

And when I think about all of that, it pales in comparison to the one thing that happened later in this year.

After 4 years of no contact, my oldest son, Paul sent me an SOS. And in that instant the 4 years of no contact evaporated. We talked for hours, and it was as if none of those empty 4 years existed.

A wound my heart had is gone. I no longer think of Paul, Collin, Jason, Joey and Bella with sadness. I smile now.

So, for everything that I got or happened this year, my favorite event was  "Mom, can you call. I need you."

Today is the first day

That I have spoken to my eldest son, Paul, in quite some time.  It wasn't for the best of reasons, but I don't care.  He is going through a rough patch, (not of his making) and family is family.  I've missed him, and I told him as much. 

But then I did something even more important; I listened.  I let him pour it all out to me, no judgment and only offered advise and my opinion when I was asked for it.  He knew that if I thought for an instant that he was in the wrong, I would have landed on him (verbally) with both feet.

That wasn't the case.

And I'm still here to listen.