Jessica de la Davies

Jessica de la Davies
Writer/Author/PieMaker

Saturday

Tattoos, Summer Camp and Kat Von D

Tattoos, Summer Camps and Kat Von D My oldest child, Chris, is going away to a sleep away summer camp for an entire month. I want to have Kat Von D tattoo the words, “Handle With Care” on his forehead, but Chris won’t even consider it even though I offered to pay for the tattoo! I feel sad as Chris packs his sleeping bag, his flannel shirts, his favorite baseball cap, our flat screen TV, our family computer, the contents of the pantry and all of the bath towels. I think he left one for me and one for Mark…my thoughtful young man. I am crying a little as Chris loads everything into the back of the car. As I hug him goodbye, he mumbles something about needing money. I hand him my wallet. It is a special moment between a mother and her eldest son. As Chris drives away with his friends to the airport, I try to put into words what I am thinking. Instead, I snort out through my tears, “Don’t forget to use your deodorant. Floss only the teeth you want to keep. Comb your hair at least once a week. I love you!” I blow him kisses as the van pulls away. Chris is pretending not to know me. I am stressing out as there is so much Chris doesn’t know about yet. I still have so much to share with him. Chris needs to know that for every mountain he climbs, there is a reward of a GREAT view at the top. He needs to learn how to find his laundry hamper with his socks. I need to teach Chris to avoid fake people and never to believe people when they ask him to be honest with them. Most of all, I want to teach Chris to text his mother once in a while.

7 comments:

  1. I wrote this for you, Chris! Although your summer camps days have passed, I still worry about you.
    Love,
    Mom :)

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  2. hi there. please follow me on twitter or else I can not message you......
    @picklepp.

    Africam......... I love the elephants and giraffe

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  3. Reminds me of sending my eldest off last Christmas to Europe from here in New Zealand. He was 18, had never traveled internationally by himself, half of Europe was snowed in and we didn't know if the flight was going to even get past Hong Kong. I spent a sleepless 36 hours glued to FB for updates lol. The joys of kids.
    Angel

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  4. That special connection between a mother's wallet and her son when Dad falls short on the mulah. . . speaking from personal experience, this is a memory that has stayed with me for more than thirty years . . . just a son's perspective :)

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  5. A touching account of mother's love to the child reflecting concern and conflict!

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  6. I Love the article you wrote for your son.It was so so sweet :) I Love My daughter's so much.

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