For Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop today, I chose the prompt:
4.) 10 Lessons your child could teach you.
Since my “child” is a grown man now, I’m tweaking on this subject a little and writing about 10 lessons that my child son has taught me.
1. From the moment he was born, Marshall taught me that a mother’s love is different from any other love you’ll ever experience. There’s a saying that once you become a mother, you walk around for the rest of your life with your heart outside your body.
2. This tiny baby taught me about a daddy’s pride, and the adoration of grandmothers.
3. Even before his first birthday, seeing him with our neighbor’s daughter, my son taught me that friendships can begin very early in life.
4. As a toddler, Marshall taught me the wonder in a little boy’s eyes. From learning about our kitty, Bandit, to lightning bugs, to airplanes, to his first snowfall, they were all new experiences. And I saw all of them in a whole new way.
5. When Marshall had surgery at the age of four, I learned how brave a little fella can be. And, during that time, I also learned a new kind of fear: the fear of a parent whose child is undergoing surgery. And then, relief and thankfulness when the surgery was a success.
6. During Marshall’s school years, I learned about helping a child with homework. And, finally, had an appreciation for all that my mother went through during my school years.
7. During Marshall’s teen-age years, a.k.a. the heavy metal music phase, he taught me patience as I waited for his taste in music to change. And it did.
8. Several years ago, Marshall and I both worked as interpreters at Bacon’s Castle. During that time, he taught me pride as I watched him interact with strangers and share his knowledge and love of the house with them.
9. When Marshall decided to have his hair cut after many years of wearing it long, he taught me that anything’s possible.
10. In recent years, Marshall’s taught me about movies (the last time I went to a theater was in 2002), he’s taught me about music that I never listened to, he’s tried to teach me about astronomy, architecture and how to back up photos on my computer.
Bonus lesson: Marshall taught me what every child teaches a parent: time passes much too quickly.
these days of mine 
Love, love, love. Really wonderful to see the slide show after reading …. I think my favorite is the little “back to school” boy! He’s gone through so many changes! It’s great to look back and remember how they grew through and out of so many different stages….and, yes, time passes much too quickly!
So beautifully written. I love the slide show. You’ve done a good job, Mom.
And once a MOM, always a mom. We worry about them from the moment they’re born. Mother’s love and Mother’s worry are united.
This was beautiful and I remember every one of those life stages! He’s a son to be proud of.
beautiful post; loved the slide show.
That hospital picture? I see you standing there.
A mother’s love is the deepest well there is… Cheers! MJ
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful son. Just love the slide show. Marshall, you are loved.
Beautiful slide show! I like “Even before his first birthday, seeing him with our neighbor’s daughter, my son taught me that friendships can begin very early in life”. Marshall has good roots, mama.
Do you think our children realise how much we love them?
This is a lovely post, you have done a great job. My girls are now 22, 20 and 16 and growing up. I miss the young years but love these years too. Time goes by far to fast. Love your slideshow. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve always LOVED that quote in number one. It is so, so very true, isn’t it? This was beautiful.
sweet. #9 made me smile… 🙂
Lovely….
Diane:
That was one of the most touching pieces I’ve ever read. It brought tears to my eyes and made my heart warm. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words/memories with us.
-Lisap
So sweet!
I hope, (and I know he will) Marshall treasures this. Any Mother who has a child can understand loving until it hurts. Brought back so many memories of mine going through the same stages. We are blessed. Thanks for sharing and giving each of us a chance to be thankful and proud.
A beautiful and loving post. Number one is so true. We mothers are truly blessed!
Wow. I think you hit a home run with this one!!! Very special
A grand slam, I’d say ! .. I had internet difficulties earlier, so I’m sorta’ late getting here … Thank you for this one, and I didn’t realize I was doing all this teaching 🙂
Aw, Marshall must be beaming with pride. Awesome job on the slideshow. I have to say, Marshall – good job cutting the hair! Looks better short 😉
My children are still young but there is not a day that passes that they are not teaching me things. Right now its mostly, patience and now to deep breath but its also, joy and how to laugh.
This was an excellent post. 🙂
How true your words are—time flies by and they are not young very long…….However, we must try and enjoy every moment with them and recall all the past lovely moments that we have had and all the new experiences that come forth……..Loved all the photos…..jj
This was beautiful! I especially connected with the statement that children re-teach you to see things–things you’ve forgotten how to see. I got a little misty-eyed reading this. Visiting from MamaKat!
This is a beautiful tribute to Marshall and the love you both share. 🙂
Me again, just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for an award. Hope that’s ok. I have just posted about it.
So lovely and loving, Dianne. I can really tell from reading all your posts and Marshall’s comments what a special mother-son relationship you two have. I love that saying about wearing your heart outside your body. I’d never heard it before.
Wonderful relationship, wonderful post. Thanks for sharing all those memories and things you learned. There’s nothing like learning through the eyes of a child.
This was very nice. Loving your children just rocks on into loving the grandchildren, “until it hurts”, as Karen said. Enjoyed the slide show.
This is such a beautifully written post 🙂
Hello, my name is geetlee and Ellie sent me over. 🙂
I really enjoyed reading your post and that beautiful cat sleeping peacefully on the sidebar has taken my heart away! I love cats! 🙂
wow. such a touching post. everyday i’m realizing how true that last line is.
oh, yes, the time does pass so quickly
Love the slide show!!! Other than all the cute ones of Marshall….the one that stuck out to me post is the one of his dad looking at him….you can feel the love!
Great post — and I enjoyed reading Marshall’s comment of approval. 🙂 Mother-and-son relationships are very special, and I’m blessed to know that from personal experience. We are supposed to teach our children as they grow and develop, but isn’t it funny how many wonderful lessons they teach us, too!
It takes a good Mom to make a good son. Good job to you Dianna and you Marshall. I love this blog!!
I loved this post! It made me think of things that my son has already taught me. The love I have for that little boy is unlike any other. Sometimes I just watch him play or interact with my husband and step son and my heart aches with love for him. I’d do anything for him.
Thanks for sharing this post. It was beautifully written and a great synopsis of Marshall’s life as his mother. If someone asked me what the best part of my life was, my reply would be from the moment it was confirmed that I was adding to the world’s population. Being a mother is a wonderful privilege, and I did not always feel worthy of that job, but I told my son many times that I was proud of the way he turned out in spite of having me as his mother! As you know, I lost Craig three years ago at age 33, and it left a huge hole in my heart that has scarred in some but will never completely heal. I’m thankful for the time we had together but selfishly wish it did not end so soon. It is good to know how much you appreciate and support your son.
I learned about the time going too fast about eight hours into fatherhood. I just didn’t realize that it keeps speeding up!
Lovely post. I am touched. This would be a wonderful exercise for me. Thanks for your heartfelt words and sweet pic’s.