Three Little Words That Meant So Much

Who's that hot babe with the scooter? It's me! HA! Who's that hot guy next to her? That's my son! GA!

Now that I've got that out of the way...

There are several sentences I have come to treasure as a mom.

1. I love you.

2. You look pretty.

and then this one, my oldest OS said this morning.

3. I need you.

Moms out there, you know what I mean. Now when my son said this it didn't sound quite so mushy and the sentence was longer but the three words that resonated for me on Sunday morning were I need you. My mama brain processed the other words but those three words transported right into my mama's heart. 

The reason my son made this statement is that apparently one morning at West Point, an upperclassman took one look at his robe and noticed that it was "jacked' up. It isn't good to be "jacked" up in general but especially at the United States Military Academy. When my boy came home this weekend, he asked me if I could make the necessary repairs. "Mom, could you

sew my robe? I need you to fix it for me, please." 

After he requested my assistance, I asked him, "What did you say?" My son seemed confused by my question, so I tried again. "Nate, what were those three words you used just a minute ago?"

He just stood there oblivious to my persistent interrogation but not willing to give up, I prompted him some more. "Nate, you asked me to do something. Why did you ask me to do something??? Work with me, Son!" 

Finally he got it. "I need you." 

It's different when you're a mom of little ones who constantly demand every bit of your attention. That season of life is gone for me. But when your 18 year old son says something even remotely like "I need you" a smart mama jumps at the chance. At West Point, I can't be with him to do his push-ups. I can't help him with Knowledge. I can't tell the people who yell at my son to please use kind words instead (HA!) The truth is there is very little I can do but love my son, support his choices and every now and then, with dwindling regularity, do something no one else can do. In this case, it was to fix his robe.

I took out my brand new Brother sewing machine (ain't she a beauty?) and got busy. I fixed the collar and reinforced the stitching. 

I took the front pocket 2/3 of the way off to sew on a patch. I mended a teeny part of the sleeve and then turned my stitching dial to 64 and added a little mama touch. I sewed a very tiny row of hearts on one of the cuffs. No one else will see them but I couldn't resist. I don't have too many opportunities to sew hearts on things 

as a mother of three sons. I had to "carpe diem" as my OS would say. 

There might come a time at West Point when he needs to remember that little tiny row of hearts or maybe I just did it for me. I don't know and it really doesn't matter. Nathan boards a plane early Monday morning and I will surely miss feeling needed by my precious Soldier and loving son. Hopefully he will have more mending on his next visit!

I need you too, Nathan. Thanks for making me feel significant with three simple words.