I want to be a mum!

When I was about 5 years old, a teacher (Mr Bird, I think) asked us all what we wanted to be when we grew up. I think most of the girls wanted to be princesses, which Mr Bird seemed to take as a realistic job prospect. When he got to me, I said I wanted to be a mummy. I remember the look on his face and the sniggers from the other kids, as they tried to convince me that being a mummy is not a proper job.

Yesterday reminded me of that day. Fortunately, I never let them convince me that my dream job was any less 'proper' than being a princess. I'd have been a rubbish princess anyway. I haven't been the best mummy either. I know it's easier to remember the times we've got it wrong than the times we got it right. However, there were two or three things that we thought were really important as we brought up the boys. One was that they would know we loved and accepted them for who they are. Obviously Josh's long hair was a challenge for Neil and Andy's ability to mutilate the English language and omit punctuation on Facebook was my challenge... but hair and punctuation aside, they're our sons and we love them.

Another thing that we wanted for them, was independence. We wanted them to be able to do as much as they could for themselves. It would have broken my heart if they had reached adulthood unable to cook, clean and generally take care of their own needs. As it happens, that worked out well for me when I suddenly became unable to do so much for myself but it was really more about them. I think that independence brings a sort of confidence that life can be tackled and problems can be solved.

The most important thing though, was that they would develop a faith of their own. Obviously, they have been brought up as Christians and in some respects it was likely they would follow but they don't agree with us on every aspect of faith and they have each taken their own path through and to faith. Andy was baptised as a child, just before we went to Finland and at that time Josh didn't feel ready. We've tried to let them go at their own pace and not put pressure on them.

Yesterday was brilliant! Josh was baptised. His testimony was brief and to the point. It mentioned his struggle with autism as a young child and those that helped him. He said that Jesus saved him from himself. I think that sums Josh up. He knows himself and he knows Jesus. Just as well really, since the pastor looks like he's trying to strangle him!