To My dearest Noah,

The other night, Noah started lacrosse for the first time.  It was a new sport, new team, new group of people.  Noah didn't know anyone on the team and I didn't know any of the parents.  Noah jumped right in making friends and I sat on the side with the parents.  I talked with some of the moms, mostly just chit chat.  Some of the moms knew each other because their kids go to school together.  Since we were all sitting on the bleachers together, i overheard the conversation.  They were talking about homework and the massive amount their kids are getting each night.  That led to something else, which led to something else which led to getting into college.  One mom said she was making her son play lacrosse even though he cried and threw a fit because he didn't want to play.  She said she was making him play so he would get a college scholarship at her alma mater (somewhere up North).  Gathering from what I heard, she met her husband at that school, her sister met her husband at that school, her parents met at that school and her grandparents met at that school. Both she and her sister did not want to go to that school and study what they studied (chemical something) but her parents made them go. They told her she had to go and find a "worthy" husband. She just said it matter of factually, without much emotion. She actually said "worthy husband". That was just how it was, there was no choice.  I asked her a few questions and when she asked what I did, I told her i was a full time wife and mom, working part time in catering but that I used to take care of a retired Archbishop until he passed away in November.  She replied "Gross, old people give me the willy's".  After i picked my jaw up off the floor, i tried to explain that it was the most wonderful thing in the world for me. I tried to tell her that i learned so much about myself and i had to give so much of myself during that time. I told her how I had to get way out of my comfort zone on many occasions to help him.  Then she said to me "That is why I want my son to go to (fill in her school's name here) so he never has to work a job like that."   And at that moment, my heart ached for her son.  So what I have to say is for my dearest Noah.

Noah,
You are a joy in my life!  I may not be a perfect mom, but I promise to always love you with all my heart!  I promise you don't ever have to play a sport or join a club that you don't want to play, but I will make you finish the season if you chose to try one.  I promise to help build your self esteem.  I will not force you to choose a career because it is what i think is best, but i will let you choose what your heart wants.  And I will be supportive.  I promise to tell you i love you every chance I get, and even then, it won't come close to how much i actually do love you.  I will give you hugs and kisses forever and ever.  I love everything about you!  I love your willingness to try new things and meet new people.  I hope you realize what a great gift that is to have.  Not everyone has that gift.  I hope that you get the most out of life but while doing so, you give your heart to God. I hope that one day you get to take care of someone who can't take care of them-self. I hope you get to travel to a third world country and see true poverty.  I hope you fall in love.  I wish for you, a best friend.  A friend that you can trust with your life.  If it is God's will in your life, I hope you get to experience the joy of having kids.   I hope you always protect and defend the dignity of life...at all stages!  Most of all, i hope you live your life to the fullest!  You are mine here on earth but you are a child of God!  To truly be happy in life, you have to follow HIS plan, not mine.   But I promise to help you find HIS plan.  I promise to take care of you the best way i know how because you are a joy in my life!
love,
Mom