I don't know what I'm gonna do when he turns 18 and leaves home.

I don't know what I'm gonna do when he brings home a woman and tells me he wants her to be his wife.

I don't know what I'm gonna do when his life gets super busy, and he starts calling and visiting me less.

I don't know what I'm gonna do when my baby boy is grown.

But, I do know what it is that I'm gonna do right now while he's young.

I'm gonna love him.

I'm gonna listen to him.

I'm gonna support him.

I'm gonna trust him.

I'm gonna encourage him.

I'm gonna guide him.

I'm gonna be gentle with him.

I'm gonna help him know his strength.

I'm gonna fill him with faith.

I'm gonna teach him values.

I'm gonna inform him about boundaries.

I'm gonna be a good example.

I'm gonna love his dad well.

I'm gonna focus on him.

I'm gonna believe in him.

I'm gonna work with him.

And, I'm gonna grow, as a mother, alongside him.

I'm positive that way before he reaches the age of adulthood, there will be plenty of times where I won't know what to do. Still, I wholeheartedly believe that if I do what I can now to raise a human who feels loved and capable, I'll raise a man, who, one day, when I'm feeling unsure about my role in his life, will remind me that I, too am loved and capable.

Every child is a gift from God, that's a given.

But, every boy is undoubtedly treasured by the mother whom God entrusted to raise him.

I don't know what I'm gonna do when my baby boy is grown, but I know that today, tomorrow, the rest of this week, next week and in the months and years to come I'm gonna give my sweet, intelligent, curious and compassionate son the mother he wants, needs and deserves.

It is my absolute pleasure, and, without a doubt, an honor to do so