Mom's Are Made To Nurture - And I Can't

I believe that a huge percentage of moms are just made to be nurturing to their babies. That's how God made us. We take care of them. We hold them. We console them. We feed them. We make sure they are safe and warm. We do everything we can to take care of them. We all do it all do it a little differently, but that's our mission. It becomes our biggest goal in life. (Well, maybe it's just mine.)

The picture Jeff sent me of him and Gavin in their sleeping bags bundled up and cold hurt so badly and he didn't have any idea that it would. I looked in Gavin's eyes in that picture and just wanted to hug him so badly. I wanted to drive the 3.5 hours to the closest parking lot and hike up that mountain just to bring them hot food. But that isn't rational, is it? Even Jeff texted me how much he's looking forward to me getting them at the next parking area.

The best I could do was leave them alone and post on Facebook for people to pray for them. The night was going to be so cold. They've never been outside sleeping in such cold weather before. I mean there's a big difference between a 30-degree night and a 4-degree night. 

I was helpless to do anything. This is a feeling I'll have to learn to handle during their almost 2,200-mile journey to Maine. The Appalachian Trail will have a lot of beautiful views. They will meet amazing people. They will have adventures that will be memories for a lifetime. But they will also have bad days. Days of cold temperatures; days of lots of rain; days of aching muscles and painful joints. I won't be there to help them for those days. For the first time in Gavin's little life, I won't be able to get to him and give him a hug. 

I can remember several times as Gavin has grown up that he's held together his emotions while at school or whatever event but when he saw me and hugged me, he was able to let go. There's something about a hug from me that he's able to just release. He doesn't so that as often anymore as he's becoming a man that is required by society to hold in his feelings. But I know it's still there. 

I'm sure some people think that maybe I'm a little bit too protective and maybe a little bit too much with Gavin. It's ok. People can think what they want. I don't really care. He's growing older and he's slowly starting his own life. He will have plenty of time to "man up" and be without his mom. I mean that's what he's doing right now. Until then, and forever, if he needs me, I'll get to him as soon as I possibly can with snacks.