Tough Guy....

I sent my baby boy off to summer camp at Catalina Island. Big tough guy, I hugged him and said, "Don't do anything that you would be embarrassed for me to know about". He smiled and said , "Sure, Mom, bye-bye". He didn't hug me back and kept his sun glasses on. Tough guy, you know, everyone is watching. I told him I wouldn't leave the parking lot until he pulled out. Then I noticed he was watching me. He walked over to the scoutmaster's suburban, his head turned slightly in my direction. He climbed in and ducked his head down so he wouldn't break eye-contact. Then, he gave me the tiniest little wave, sat down and closed the door. As they pulled out he turned around in his seat and looked at me once more, yeah, I'm here, like I said I would be...tough guy. I watched until they disappeared in the distance, then I drove home. It was an hour and 30 minute drive...I cried the better part of an hour...I'm a tough guy too I guess.

My son called on Sunday morning and wished his father a Happy Father's Day. His voice was gruff and gravelly. His father didn't recognise him at first, then he did and his eyes filled with tears. "Oh, he remembered" my husband said, quite choked up. Tough guy. The dog jumped on my son's bed and began to whimper. He isn't a tough guy and isn't shy about the fact.

My daughter shrugged her shoulders, "He'll be back in a week...lighten up"... Now that's a tough guy... peace and love to you all...