My youngest was in high school when I found a short-term replacement for my engagement ring, which had been lost in a home break-in. I had the price of the pretty silver-plated ring (not expensive) in my purse the day I saw it, and I was tired of the bare left ring finger, so I bought it on impulse. When I got home, I showed it to my son. Absently he tried it on his pinky. Slowly he turned the ring to read its blocked engraving...” True ... Love ...Waits …”
“Cool, Mom.” he commented as he returned the ring to me.
The Mother of my son’s High School Prom Date needed a ride to the grocery store some time after both our kids had graduated and were attending college. She asked me if I was aware that the two of them were “Living Together?” This turned out to mean that the girl was no longer living in the “Girl’s Dormitory,” but had made arrangements with the young men with whom my son shared a large apartment, to take an extra room herself. Her Mother knew that I read the Bible and went to Church, so .I began to realize she wanted me to speak to them. She ended with: “Of course, they are of age now, and there’s nothing we can do ...” ... somewhat hesitantly I had to agree. I prayed, I worried, I mentioned it to my non-religious spouse ... but I could not find the right moment nor the right words to express my trust and confidence in my son, yet express my growing concern as well.
Christmas Eve was soon upon us, and the first semester of my youngest son’s freshman year behind him. Our nephew’s toddler wore an elfin-sized Santa cap; her almost- showing mother sat cross-legged under the tree with the “Mrs. Santa Cap.” I marveled at the ease with which she seemed to have combined a stressful women’s career with a (breastfeeding!) mother’s. My young niece screeched with delight as she struggled with a big brightly wrapped gift. I was startled from my empty-nest wool-gathering, grinned fondly and watched her a moment. Suddenly I felt moved to get up from my own seat by the tree, and move unobtrusively toward my youngest son. I glanced at the engraved engagement ring I wore, and suddenly felt moved to pull it off and place it in his palm. I closed his fingers about the keepsake ring and simply said in a quiet voice: I want you to keep this for me.
For the first time in a long time, I felt Peace in my heart, about what might or not be going on in his life. I gave him to God, and trusted the scripture : “Raise them up in the way they should go, and when they are old they shall not forget.” Well! A lucky thing for me, that peaceful gift of heart! I watched a frown and then a glowering expression cover that handsome face. He lowered his eyes, and didn’t look up until all gifts were opened, but still his mother felt calm and serene for some reason; I wasn’t myself sure why! Finally, in the hallway on the way to our rooms, he accosted me. “Mom! What a lousy Gift that was to give me!” his face was stern. “I would never do that.”
