THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT GOD DOES WORK IN WONDERFUL, MYSTERIOUS WAYS. AFTER I READ YOUR REVIEW I DECIDED TO VISIT YOUR DEN WHERE I BEGAN TO READ SOME OF YOUR ARTICLES. I CAME ACROSS QUITE A FEW THAT I HAD ALREADY REVIEWED, BUT I FOUND TWO, INCLUDING, THIS ONE THAT I HAD NOT REVIEWED. I AM A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE MOTHER WHO HAS TO DEAL WITH THE SON WHO HAS NOT HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF LIVING A STABLE LIFE. HE IS SOON TO BE 33 AND IS STILL STRUGGLING WITH TURNING AWAY FROM THE 'STREET LIFE'. IT BREAKS MY HEART...HE WILL GO SO FAR BUT THEN, EVEN THOUGH HE KNOWS AND CONCEDES THE NEGATIVITY OF IT, WILL FALL RIGHT BACK INTO A LIFESTYLE THAT ALWAYS LEADS TO INCARCERATION. AND THOUGH I'D LIKE TO, I CANNOT FAULT HIM ENTIRELY. WHEN A WAY OF LIFE IS INGRAINED FROM A PERSON'S YOUTH...IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME THE TEMPTATIONS OF RETURNING TO IT. ESPECIALLY IF IT'S 'HOME' TO THEM...THE PLACE WHERE THEY BONDED AND GREW UP WITH THE ONLY 'FRIENDS' THEY'VE KNOWN - EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THEM ARE DEAD OR SERVING LIFE. HE IS ACTUALLY 'ADDICTED' TO IT. SO HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? I WASN'T ALWAYS A CHRISTIAN, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I WAS 'OUT THERE' AND I SEARCHED FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES WHILE MY CHILDREN...ESPECIALLY MY BABY-BOY...FENDED FOR THEMSELVES. I CALLED MYSELF TRYING BUT, AS A SINGLE PARENT, WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFLUENCING THEM TO CLING TO JESUS AND THE CROSS, I WAS TOO BUSY SEARCHING FOR MY OWN HAPPINESS. SO THEY, ESPECIALLY, MY BABY BOY, MADE THE STREETS GOD. HE WAS A PRACTICING ATHEIST AT ONE TIME BUT, WHEN GOD SAVED ME...I TURNED TO MY CHILDREN AND BY HIS MERCY AND GRACE, HE TOUCHED THEIR LIVES. MY THREE ELDEST CHILDREN ARE AMAZINGLY PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS(NEVER BEEN IN JAIL) AND NOW, THE YOUNGEST, WHICH FELL COMPLETELY THROUGH THE CRACKS, AT LEAST HE IS SINCERELY TRYING TO DO BETTER AND IS NOT AT 'PEACE' IN A LIFESTYLE THAT HE KNOWS CAN ONLY COMPLETELY DESTROY HIM. HE STILL HAS A LONG WAYS TO GO BUT I HAVE HOPE AND AM TRUSTING GOD THAT WHAT HE STARTED...HE IS MORE THAN ABLE TO COMPLETE. I PRAY THAT ONE DAY, FILLED WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT MY SON HAS BEEN STABILIZED TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN 'LET GO'...I CAN. HOWEVER, PRESENTLY, I CANNOT. OFTEN I AM CHIDED BY MY OLDER CHILDREN FOR THIS BUT I REMEMBER THAT GOD WAITED A L-O-N-G TIME FOR ME...HE NEVER GAVE UP ON ME. I FIGURE I CAN EXTEND TO MY SON THE SAME PATIENCE THAT JESUS EXTENDED TO ME AND I AM GLAD AND ETERNALLY GRATEFUL THAT HE DIDN'T LET ME GO. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

As parents, we work very hard to ensure that our children are given the very best. The goal is to help prepare them, so they can become productive citizens. You take pleasure attending all of their functions, but no one can prepare you for the empty feeling you experience when your child is ready to leave home.

I completely agree, Nicole. They will always be our "little ones." Love and blessings to you,

Regis

I've Lived In CA Over 40 Years,i.e. Wonderful Vacation In San Lucas!?

You Should've Visit Los Angelses Sleazy... Boy Would Your Attitude Change Instantly!I Am Realist Not An Idealist!!

Must Give Credit For Aspiring Write...

TRASK...

Nicole, I have four children all on their own for a number of years now, but when my eldest son, who will be fifty-two in July, left home my wife cried... When he moved back home, my wife cried.
The strongest "empty nest" feeling I've had was two months ago when I sent my third, and last novel to the publisher for editing.
A very well written and eaisly understood article.
Mark

Hi Nicole, what a beautiful article. I only have the one son, and he's been gone now for 16 years,so you can imagine how I felt when he moved away. Lovely photo of you and family. Keep up the good work, and I know you will inspire someone else.