"I trust you."

As I walked away from my almost 13yo son, I realized those might be the most important words that I can be saying to him right now.

What I'm really saying to him is that I trust the hard work we have done for 12 years of being mom and son. What I'm really saying is that I trust God to surround him with love and truth when I'm not there. What I'm really saying is that I'm prepared to gently walk through the mess of any mistakes that he makes in his independent choices. What I'm really saying is that I'm proud of him and love him immensely.

He's a pretty terrific guy.

"Mom, please take this picture and get it over with."