My baby is leaving today

Well the last 3 years have been rough as a Mom.. I have a son whom I have shed many tears over... Amir was a wonderful happy kid, a straight A student in school and was in college prep classes in high school. He excellerated in sports was a star wrestler and baseball player. He was the apple of my eye, my heart. Second semester of 10th grade he began to change his attitude grew harder and harder to deal with and thats when I discovered he began to use drugs.. he was skipping school and in danger of being arrested for truancy. He was jumped by gang members and beat up pretty bad, then the night of the car accident where 1 boy was killed and 2 others were badly injured and luckily Amir had a angel that spoke to him to put on his seat belt. He was still spiraling out of control and we had to make the decision to ask him to leave our home, making an attempt at tough love. He moved back to St. Louis and 8 months later I received a call, he asked us if he could come back, he wanted to get his life together.. I told him he was welcome to come back but he must understand that we will not tolerate drugs in our house and that he must be moving forward to improve his life.. he agreed. He arrived here September 18th, 4 days later he started his GED classes... I stayed cautious because this was his 3rd attempt at classes... On Dec 5th and 6th he took the GED... and the rest is the beginning of his new life... He's leaving today to start his career in the Army.... he's worked so hard to change his life, to "be someone his family can be proud of" his words not mine. I told him the other day, "through all of the problems I never gave up on you, I always knew you'd come back from that dark place you were living in"... He said, "thats why I was able to do this" I posting the cliff notes because I know sometimes our loved ones go through issues that we dont know what to do we are at a loss and our hearts are breaking over it all. I always believed if I gave up on him, he would give up on himself. You just keep trying and you never stop loving them. I am very proud of my son... he has accomplished in 5 months what most adults never accomplish... changing their lives for the better.. So today will be an emotional day for me when I say good by to another son who is leaving... I wish someone would have warned me years ago that saying goodbye to our kids when they grow and ready to spread their wings in the world, that it would be so very bitter sweat. Amir my son... I am so very proud of you that words can not describe Never give up never stop fighting, at the end of the day its worth all the tears.. Debby

Well said, Debby. You've got some great kids and they have an even greater Mom. If you had not instilled in them basic core values, he would not have accomplished this. Be proud of him (and Nasir), but remember they are who they are because of your guidance and love. Sometimes, yes, the tears are definitely worth it.

MOST AWESOME.. you said it all.. I'm very happy for Amir.. as we can see by so many.. *brittany - just one*that it's not easy to come back from that dark place, only by a Higher Power.. can it be done! Tell/let Amir know that he's loved by many.. more than he can even imagine thanks so much for sharing this Debby.. it most certainly made my day

Congrats to all of you. If not for the love you gave him he would never have turned out to be the wonderful young man that he is now. I can not imagine how you feel right now having him leave. Having two babies in the armed service right now. You are a very strong women and I am proud of you and very impressed by your strength. Hugz, Nancy

Debby, Great news regarding Amir. Tonight, I will make sure that Cathy checks out your post. Regards, Ron

You have been so strong for him and both of you (or maybe I should say all three -- you, Amir, and Bob) have set him on a good path. I don't even want to try to imagine what you are feeling today as he leaves for a while. But I am thinking about all of you. Hopefully he will be home soon, and will be able to continue making you proud from nearby.

(((((((Deb))))))) What a send off for your son!!! No dedication could have been done any better then a mother who is truly truly proud as you are!! I am so happy for you and so very proud of Amir...he will definitely be kept in mine and Martin's thoughts and prayers.

Debby, No truer words could have been spoken from a parents point of view when we do all we can do to do right by our kids, to guide them and teach them right from wrong and then we have to set them free and HOPE that they make good decisions or very grown up decisions to better themselves and as a wise man told me one time "You have done the best that you can do now the rest is up to her... my daughter" (thanks Sparky). It is never easy but it is great to see that he is doing MUCH better and in a much better place in his mind and heart! You are right when you say that he has done great things in a small amount of time and he has grown up ALOT in the last few months. You have done a GREAT job Debby! I am proud of you!! ((HUGS))

You have every right to be proud of your son...you should also be just as proud of yourself...you have raised three fine young men.