Hometown Clinton - Fall 2017

So this summer, the boy is fourteen. To say it’s
been different is an understatement. When only a year
or so ago he’d never dream of spending the night away
from home, this year he tromped off to baseball camp
for an entire week! The only thing he wanted to do
when I picked him up was eat. We hit a local buffet
and he had fried chicken, steak fries, pizza, and a
pancake. It was at that time that he told me about his
time away from home. It very much felt like a forecast
of things to come.
He now stays gone nearly every waking moment—
and I miss him. No one ever said this would be easy.
While I’m looking for ways to connect, he’s trying to
disconnect—and that’s ok, too. He’s right on pace.
It’s just all a part of it, right? But it literally happened
overnight.
He has more freedom than he’s ever had before.
And I’ve had to learn to evolve. What made sense
when he was four obviously doesn’t work when he’s
fourteen. What worked an hour ago might not work
an hour from now. This is a fast-moving train.
I’m also trying to listen better—because when kids
feel like they can talk to their parents, they feel safe
and supported. Sounds reasonable. Lord help me.
Please pass the parenting handbook . . . and the wine.
They say the hardest part about growing up is
letting go of what we’re used to and moving on with
something we’re not. I’d say that pretty well sums up
parenting, too. But, when it’s all said and done, your
kids will become who you are. So be who you want
them to be. After all, it takes a lot of courage to grow up.
For all of us.
❀ ❀ ❀
FUN
70+ CAMPUS CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS / UNIQUE SUBSTITUTE TO GREEK LIFE /
17 DII ATHLETIC TEAMS
AFFORDABLE
APPROXIMATELY $15,000 LESS THAN THE AVERAGE PRIVATE UNIVERSITY /
GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
PRIVATE
OVER 5000 STUDENTS / 16:1 STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO / ESTABLISHED 1826
CHRISTIAN
CHRIST IS FIRST INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM /
TAUGHT BY PROFESSORS THAT ARE BELIEVERS
EDUCATION
80+ MAJORS TO CHOOSE FROM / 50+ GRADUATE AREAS OF STUDY /
MC SCHOOL OF LAW / THE STATE’S ONLY PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
FIND OUT AT:
www.mc.edu/whyMC
admissions@mc.edu | 601/925-3800 | Clinton, MS 39058
30 • Aug/Sept/Oct 2017 Hometown Rankin Clinton • 33 31