Saturday, June 2, 2012

SPECIAL SON REPOST & UPDATE

I AM REPOSTING THIS - 
FROM JUNE 7 OF LAST YEAR... 

THERE IS A REASON, 
I WILL EXPLAIN AT THE END OF THIS POST.


It was on this day 31 years ago that I gave birth to son #2 at 8:35AM.

As I sat in my hospital bed, staring into the face of my angel, a young girl wearing a terry cloth robe scuffed across the hall and slipped into my room. "I've been watching you from across the hall", she said.  "Can I see your baby?"  I smiled big as I held my bundle out for her to get a better look and she smiled too, touching his head and then his fingers and toes.


 "I lost my baby last night." She said.
My heart dropped.  Somehow my new son had become even more special to me at that very moment and I understood even more - how blessed I was. 

 Justin was the middle child.  When Lindsey (the baby and only girl) came along, Justin was 7 years old, and very noticeably pushed to the side to make room for the new and cute one.  If I hadn't video taped so much  I probably wouldn't have realized this.


Justin was special.  He required one on one attention and Special Ed in school.  He learned slowly and hurt easily.   When he graduated high school, he received an award.



After a few failed jobs, he found his place in a movie theater as a janitor.   He once found a $20 bill in the parking lot and gave it to the theatre manager hoping she'd find it's owner.  

He slid a $100 bill under the door of his sister one day, not saying a word or taking credit for helping her out at a hard time in her life.  You see, he felt he was still rich because he had $50 left over.

He has been through several jobs, the longest being a Walmart employee where he worked stocking dairy products.  He quit there to go to a telemarketing position where he'd be given time to work on his fantasy novel that he was writing.  After a week at the telemarketing place, he was fired when he didn't pass the required test. They hadn't told him that part.  Walmart wouldn't hire him back, and wouldn't allow him to collect unemployment.   A few months ago, and after two years of no work, living off of the government, and begging money off of family and friends, he sat in my office with silent tears streaming down his face after he had to borrow money once again from his brother but not without a lecture.  Just then, Gary walked in and asked, "Justin, how would you like to earn a hundred bucks?"   Justin wiped his face and sat up in his chair.  "Yea..."


Justin spent the day working in our yard, pulling weeds and sweeping gravel from the driveway.  He came back the next day and worked more.  He did a wonderful job but never thought it was good enough and kept wanting to know what else he could do.  You see,  at that moment...  that turning point in his life... he was feeling needed once again and like he had worth.   He found a few odd jobs, then ended up back at the theatre selling popcorn part time.  Today Justin is on top of the world because he is working.  

Justin is different, and does not learn or see things the way others do.  He wants to be independent and has a real hard time accepting help.

He is a fabulous writer, and I wish he'd let me share some of his short stories, but I know he won't.  You see, he thinks that he is going to be a famous writer some day and does not want anyone to steal his ideas.  

Justin doesn't know and may never understand that it takes more than talent and perseverance to make it big in this world.  But, then again... that's part of what makes him special.  
He is a dreamer.

Happy Birthday, Son.  You have a beautiful, large heart, and that makes me proud!

JUSTIN'S FIRST FANTASY NOVEL 
PUBLISHED JUST A FEW DAYS AGO.  
"MOM, YOU WON'T LIKE IT," HE ASSURED ME. 

 SO FAR I'VE PURCHASED THE E-BOOK AND I PLAN ON GETTING A HARD COPY AS WELL.  GRANTED, I DO NOT LIKE THIS TYPE OF BOOK... BUT AS I READ, I AM AMAZED AT HIS TALENT AND I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW PROUD I AM OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.

LINK TO BOOK:

http://outskirtspress.com/midnightscloak/




12 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday wishes to your son! Congrats to him on his book. I was not able to get the link to work at this time. I know you must be so very proud of him, Bobbi.

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  2. oh my gosh what an amazing story, you must be so proud, we all have our journey and it sounds like your son has weathered his journey well, he sounds like a fine young man, Happy Birthday and congratulations, imagine a published author in the family wow,

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  3. Wow, I am amazed, elated, and touched. I remember this post very well, Bobbi. And we sat here on the couch and I read this to Phil. I am in tears now, of course. I know Gary had partly to do with this, giving him confidence and seeing that you both believed in him, making him feel valuable.

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  4. Happy birthday, Justin. Like your mother, I am sooo proud of you.

    Bobbi, you made me cry, but happy tears at Justin's beautiful, life-written story. Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Happy birthday to Justin! I remember you writing about him before, Bobbi! WTG to him for being a published author!! Wishing him much success with it in the years to come!

    betty

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  6. Oh what a SWEET story beginning all the way to the end! I am so proud of your Son's accomplishment and Happy Birthday to your Justin! That isn't my kind of read but I am gonna order one as a gift:) Hugs to you dear friend! Have a blessed day!!!!!

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  7. Happy Birthday to Justin! What a story! And what a reason to be so proud of him!

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  8. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JUSTIN. Congratulations on the book. From one writer to another, I know how proud you must be of this accomplishment. Do not let any critics rain on your parade. This is your MOMENT. Revel in it.

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  9. Praise God for such a wonderful update on that post! The young man certainly has perseverance and a good work ethic. I couldn't get the link to work either - - - and wouldn't enjoy that type story much - - - but am proud of him for having a dream and realizing it!

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  10. Bobbi, I not knows why but dis post just brought tears to my eyes. From dat moment in da hospital and meetin' da young lady her lost her baby and seein' da grown up son you has...and what he has become.
    I think everybuddy wants to feels needed like Justin, it makes them feel likes they has worth...and he does...more than he prolly ever knows.
    What an amzin' accomplishment furs Justin and his book. I would so loves to gives him a pat on da back. Dis is just absolutely amazing!
    Dang, here comes da tears again!

    Puddles

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  11. How did I manage to miss this post twice? So glad I saw it today...Your words tear at my heart. You are such a good, wise, Mom, and I applaude you for raising such a wonderful young man. I am going to try to link to his book. Thank you for sharing this with your bloggy friends.

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  12. I purchased a download.
    So happy for him to achieve this success!!

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