A Good Man

Paul turns 18 tomorrow.

How did that happen?

Wasn’t this picture just taken yesterday?

I was going to try and write something clever; a list of 18 things I love about him, a poem or song made up on the spot about our greatest memories. Something truly worthy of the occasion. Something undeniably memorable and wonderful.

But I couldn’t do it. Not because I couldn’t think of enough, but because I could think of hundreds. For the sake of space and simplicity, I will keep it simple.

I will simply tell you why my son is a good man.

Paul has a great gift for loving unconditionally. I have seen it over and over again. He loves without reserve and without guile; even people in his life that may not deserve his love. He forgives and believes the best of those around him. He is always the first one to volunteer to help when someone needs assistance. .  He is considerate far beyond most young men his age. I panic slightly when I think of him leaving me in a year’s time. He always asks me “Mom? What can I do to make your day better? How can I help?”  Without ever being asked, he offers assistance to people who might need him when he sees a need; whether it’s helping clear dishes, sitting by someone who may be without a friend, or helping my grandparents out to the car. He is filled with gratitude. He always tells me how grateful he is for what I do for them and never complains about what he doesn’t have. He is tapped into spiritual things in a way I can’t even begin to understand, and bears testimony of what he feels is right and true in a simple and clear way with conviction I can only hope to have.  My six foot one son is gentle and tender with little children and babies (even when he makes them nervous because of his size), and patient and tolerant with people who may be different than he is. He was a peer tutor for a young lady who had developmental delays last semester and he treated her with such kindness and respect…the teachers were sad when he left the class for the term.

He is among my greatest blessings. A blessing I am forever grateful for and one I could never repay the Lord for letting me have.