This is not a brag, nor is it meant to suggest that my child is better than anyone else’s. I simply want to share a mother’s story about her beloved son. My son Nathan (Nate) is, in my eyes, an exceptional person. At only 15 years old, he displays a wisdom that seems far beyond his years.
When Nate was very young, between the ages of 2 and 5, his father and I began calling him “an old man.” Even then, he showed a remarkable sense of discipline and rigidity, not only with himself but with others as well.
As he grew older, his maturity continued to amaze me. I often wondered where it came from, and why he didn’t just enjoy being a carefree child.
Nate grew up in a home with divorced parents, but his father and I have always worked hard to co-parent well and, most importantly, to be honest with him. I’ve allowed him to see that I am human, someone who makes mistakes, stumbles, but also has the strength and determination to rise again.
He also grew up almost like an only child, since his half-brother Daniel is nine years older. I sometimes wonder if Nate was exposed more to adult perspectives than to typical childlike behavior.
Regardless of the reasons, he has grown into the best person I know. He is mature, warm, loving, and deeply empathetic. Nate accepts people and situations as they are, a skill I’m still learning. I’ve rarely seen a teenager express affection as openly as he does. Nate tells me he loves me every day, no matter where we are or who is around.
I know that someday he may stumble, but I also know he will rise again. That is the kind of person Nate is. Whether it’s because of me or in spite of me, I am grateful for who he has become. His maturity, kindness, and good nature will serve him well, both personally and professionally.
Being a parent is full of lessons, and Nate has taught me as much as I hope I’ve taught him. His presence reminds me to slow down, show love openly, and embrace life with empathy and courage. I am grateful every day for the privilege of watching him grow into such an extraordinary young man, and I hope I continue to rise to the kind of parent he deserves.
