A Mother’s Story… So Proud of My Son!
A few years ago I wasn’t sure if I could ever be proud of my son again, but I am here to tell you that I am. As a parent, I did everything I thought was right to help him at various stages of his dark past. I started with trying to reason, then taking away privileges, tried counseling, bailed him out of jail, hired a lawyer, and let him sit in jail longer and longer each time. Early on, the court system was kind and with each incident, he was given another chance to turn his life around.
Stay straight and follow probation rules. Easy, right? Apparently not for a teenager. The court finally got tired of him breaking probation and various laws and he was sentenced to prison. I could never understand why he was so reckless and I probably never will but that’s not the point of our story.
My son was in Polk Correctional Institution in Butner, NC from early August until mid-June. My worst fear had come true, he was in prison. We’d write and I would visit him quite often. It was heartbreaking to see him incarcerated but we both came to enjoy our visits. Soon we began talking about his future versus his past … and that was a breakthrough for us both. I don’t think either of us knew how it would be when he got out, and we both probably had our fears.
His release day finally came. He was put on immediate curfew by his parole officer, but this time he was content instead of angry. We took a day trip to the beach and he was in awe of the beauty. We went to a new church and the message was about forgiveness. Even stranger was a moving testimony by a young man who had also been incarcerated. We were welcomed by the pastors, and they embraced my son when they heard his story. Within a few days he found a full time job. Exhausting hours and hard work painting houses in the NC summer heat, but a job! He started volunteering at church and got into a routine.
By this time I knew that he was done with his old ways. The good news continued! He was accepted at a community college in a different town. We both agreed it was best for him to truly get a fresh start. So, it was off to college. I am thrilled to say he finished his first semester with a 4.0 grade point average! This was the kid who had no interest in grades in high school. Over break he started looking for a job again and was turned down many times, which was disappointing, but he finally found one and is now working while attending school. He loves school, his job, and is hoping to get into management. He has stayed clean and straight and just recently finished his post release component… so for the first time in 3 years, he isn’t on probation or under lock and key.
Now, I’m sure you can see why I am so proud of my son. He has turned his life around and is working so hard in school and at work. Our relationship is back and I am confident that he will continue to succeed in life.
Praise to the Lord for the many blessings!