Possibility

My son is doing what I always wanted to do.

Yesterday he flew to Colorado with one bag, a backpack, and no job. Last year he drove from our home in Alabama to a little town in Texas. He had a job waiting there but that was all. After the job ran out, he came home long enough to work at a place making pallets. He saved a little money, bought a plane ticket, and flew to his next adventure.

He’s 19. He says college isn’t for him. Neither is a permanent job right now.

He wants to see places and do things. The kind of things you can do before you get the kind of things you have to do.

I had dreams of doing the same but I waited too long. College and jobs and marriage and little ones took the place of adventures in far off places.

I admire his courage.

One of the first places he explored is wherever this photo was taken. He hiked the mountains near Boulder a few hours after he landed.

He is seeing beauty he’s never seen before and climbing mountains and meeting new friends. He is learning and growing.

And it’s not too late for me to see beauty I’ve never seen before or swim in a different ocean or see a sunset on a new horizon.

 

27 Comments

  1. sustainabilitea on June 10, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    All the best to him (and you.) He’s in a beautiful part of the world right now.

    janet

    • mariegriffith on June 10, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Yes – he told us that it was such a blessing to be there.

  2. brucewmartin on June 10, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    Love THIS! Makes me want to go out and do some hiking. And quit my job. And travel the world…
    Ooops. Sorry. Fantasy world took over for a moment. But I’m back now. Sort of.

    • mariegriffith on June 10, 2016 at 4:25 pm

      But you do that a lot already. And sometimes hiking is your job!!

  3. Belinda O on June 10, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    My brother, at age 19, traveled the world. Eventually he came back and settled into a small town, working as a baker. Today he’s married, two kids, is a film editor and one of my best friends (not so much when we were growing up). Wonderful that your son knows what he needs and that you’re giving him the emotional freedom to pursue it!

    • mariegriffith on June 10, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Thanks for that Belinda. We are giving him the freedom but we still worry a little. That’s what parent do. But still we are happy he’s doing it.

      • Belinda O on June 10, 2016 at 8:52 pm

        If you didn’t worry, that would be troublesome. But 19 is young. Pray for wise people to cross his path, right?

    • dawnlizjones on June 10, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      That’s kinda what I was thinking also, Belinda! Kudos to you,Marie, for blessing him on his way–I think YOU’RE the adventurous (and courageous) one. As only a mother (and God) can know.

      • mariegriffith on June 10, 2016 at 10:35 pm

        It’s been in him from a very young age…..a bold and adventurous spirit. And thank you Dawn for saying I’m courageous. I pray a lot and trust the One who loves him bigger than those mountains.

  4. beeorganizedwithpamela on June 11, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    I love this he is following his dreams. Being bold and adventurous is a wonderful trait for the young.

    • mariegriffith on June 11, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Thank you Pamela. I’m glad he’s bold and adventurous

  5. Joy Waters Martin on June 16, 2016 at 7:58 am

    Ahhhhh …I love this Marie . He and our Ben should get together. Ben just finished his year in Australia, with stops in Hawaii and South Korea …life changing! Proud of these you guys men of our’s! Praying with you as another mom of an adventurous child 🙂 .

    • mariegriffith on June 16, 2016 at 8:37 am

      Thank you Joy. It’s easier some days than others. Still learning to do this well…..

  6. Keith Haney on June 17, 2016 at 10:09 pm

    How cool to live out your dreams. Blessings to your son.

    • mariegriffith on June 17, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      Thank you Keith. Yes to be 19 again….but it’s never too late.

  7. Shadeau on June 20, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    This is Great! I never had that kind of courage or adventurous ambition, but I can surely celebrate it in someone else. I have confidence that God is traveling with your son, meeting him at pivotal points all along the way–Bravo! God bless you and your family, Marie 🙂

    • mariegriffith on June 20, 2016 at 8:00 pm

      Thank you for those encouraging words and the sweet blessings. The same to you and yours.

      • Shadeau on June 20, 2016 at 8:01 pm

        Most welcome, Marie.

  8. wondergirldiaries on June 23, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Doing what makes you happy is one of the best things in life. 🙂 Its good to know that you give him the freedom he wants..How I wish my mother would be less overprotective of me so I can do the same..lol Anyway, God bless you and your family! 🙂

    • mariegriffith on June 23, 2016 at 10:07 am

      His dad and I enjoy seeing him live his dream. He hiked Pike’s Peak this week and was in awe of the beauty around him. I know God is with him so I have peace. Thank you for your kind words. Many blessings to you!

  9. tianavandyk on July 13, 2016 at 11:10 am

    It is definitely not too late for you! I went to hawaii after my freshman year in college for that reason. A tent, backpack and no job. Ate a lot of peanut butter sandwhiches. My husband and I did a cross country trip last year (21 states, 9000mi, 17 days). We just wanted to explore. Find something you love and go for it. Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you stay within the country. Good luck exploring!!! And congrats to your son for going for it.

    • mariegriffith on July 13, 2016 at 11:20 am

      A cross country hiking trip sounds wonderful! Can’t do that now but one day……. For now my adventure involves training for my very first Spartan Race on August 20th.

      • tianavandyk on July 13, 2016 at 11:23 am

        That sounds like a challenge, good luck!

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