Chicken Soup to the Rescue

More meat than noodles, more noodles than broth.  Dustin's favorite soup recipe.

This past Thursday we Skyped with Dustin.  It was the first time we have spoken to him in a few weeks because he was so busy with college classes, senior year Electrical Engineering.  When his picture loaded up on the computer, my heart sank.  As he spoke, all I could see was the dark circles under his eyes, the uncombed hair, and the disheveled appearance.  All I could hear was the exhaustion in his voice, the way he struggled to speak, sighed at the end of each sentence and yawned every few seconds. Then he started coughing and sniffing.  As he spoke about the difficult tests, unending projects, and mountains of homework, I began to worry.

I asked him if he was eating well?  When he left home at the beginning of the semester, I had sent him a freezer full of home cooked healthy meals.  He replied, he only had a few meals left and was saving them for when he was too busy to cook something.  That was bad!  In my mind I translated his statement to mean, HE WAS SAVING THEM FOR HIS LAST MEAL BEFORE HE DIED OF EXHAUSTION!!!

My heart was breaking.  So I asked him, "Would you like for us to drive up and bring some more food?"

"Mom, thanks for the kind offer but a five-hour round trip is a long way.  It is too hard to a drive."

"No, it isn't.  Your Dad will chauffeur me."  So I started cooking.

The car trunk full of frozen meals.

When we arrived, I went first to the refrigerator and it was EMPTY, just as I suspected!

Much better.  Now I can check out the rest of the apartment.

Since this was the first time for us in his new apartment, I wanted a tour.  It took about 30 seconds.

Is that your Dad's desk from his old office in the basement?  I thought he burned it?  What about that office chair I got at a garage sale?  Didn't I say throw it away?  Wasn't everything in this room supposed to be thrown away at one time?

I was being too critical.  We were guest in his new home at a housewarming party.  I should be supportive so I offered my praise on the lovely camouflage tarp on the floor, the colors pop!  It is so bachelor pad. Very outdoorsy.  Practical yet shabby chic!

I did not recognize his homework project, I don't think.  Maybe I have seen it before?  All motherboards look the same to me like all handmade quilts look the same to them.  I am sure it is very impressive and does great electrical stuff.

I recognized everything in this place even though I had never been there before.  Such a strange feeling being somewhere new and yet being completely at home.  I liked his apartment.  I felt like I belonged.

Is that his Bible laying open by his bed?  I wonder what he is studying?  It would be rude to peek, like reading someone's private mail.  But if they open the mail and leave it sitting out on the table, would it be nosey to look? I have no business reading his private Bible study or reading his diary. This is his apartment, not mine. What if he is doing a study on bad mothers of the Bible.  No!  There aren't any bad mothers!  One quick look while he is in the other room.  It isn't misbehaving;  I have decided.

The Book of Judges...and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.

Oh, that hurts.  I repent.

We then took him out to eat at O'Charley's and used a 20% off coupon that he had saved from his junk mail.  Impressive, I have taught him well.  After he was well fed and his refrigerator full, I asked him, "Do you think I am the world's greatest Mother?"

"If you don't say yes, I will take my food back home with me.  Crying won't help!"

"Oh yes, Mom.  You are the greatest Mom in the world!" Dustin bragged.

I chose to believe him.

This is Dustin and his dad.  Two peas in a pod.  Pete and repeat.  Mutt and Jeff.  I can go on and on but will not.  Bill drove me all the way while I snapped pictures of stupid things, paid for lunch at O'Charley's, and didn't get mad when I got us lost.  I have repented and will be nice.