You have always been so go with the flow. (I absolutely love that about you, by the way!) So, back in 2015 when Dad and I told y'all we were thinking about selling our house and moving to the hill country you were a bit nervous, but also very excited for the adventure. It was hard for us to leave family, an amazing church, and good friends. Looking back, I can only imagine how hard it was for you to leave all of that and the best friend you had since Kindergarten. (I love that y'all are still such good friends. True friendship always stands the test of time.) We truly felt like God was leading us out to Bandera and we had no idea why. I guess you could say we were in the same boat as you - a bit nervous but also very excited for this adventure.
You and your brother took to country living so well. I loved our walks in the hills of our neighborhood, watching sunsets, and just enjoying all of God's beauty around us. You were just starting to blossom in baseball and it was hard to leave that behind in Wylie but after much research we were thrilled to find a select baseball team in San Antonio. The 75 minute drive to practice twice a week was rough but it was so worth it! Kaos became far more than just a baseball team for you. It became a family for all of us during those years.
You were SO brave to start 5th grade in a brand new city at a brand new school, not knowing a soul. And of course you rocked it! You are one of the most social kids I have ever met and you can make friends anywhere with anyone. I vividly remember one day during your 5th grade year. It was show and tell and the teacher even allowed live pets. (Welcome to Bandera!) Am I crazy or do I remember some kid brought a baby kangaroo that day?! Anyways, you begged me to bring Willie, who was a puppy at the time. While many of the kids were petting our oh so adorable puppy one of your classmates came up to me. He had on highwater jeans that were torn at the knee and his shoes were starting to show some serious wear. My heart immediately went out to this adorable, soft spoken kid. I will never forget what he said to me. "I just wanted to let you know that Garrison has been a good friend to me. I don't have a lot of friends and he is really nice to me." My heart just burst. Garrison, I said it then and I'll say it now. My greatest joy as your mother will always be seeing you love like Jesus loves. God has given you a heart for others and I will always be more proud of that than any A, any sports trophy, any college acceptance and any future job offers. You truly are a light in this dark world! Your 5th grade year definitely had some lows as well but you persevered and you grew so much that year.
I never felt called to be a stay at home mom and I definitely didn't feel called to homeschool. But, as you know, God kept putting people in my path that opened my eyes to the possibility of homeschooling you while still working full time. Of course I didn't tell you at the time but I was absolutely terrified when we made the decision you would start homeschooling in 6th grade. I always felt like I was a good mom but I never felt qualified to be solely responsible for your education. But we got through it, didn't we? We learned and grew together over the next couple of years. And of course I am so grateful we had BACH so you could have social outlets and learn from other teachers. I will never forget your comment to me a couple months into your 8th grade year. "No offense, Mom, but I learn Math so much better from Mrs. Wright than I did from you." Hahahaha! You know what though? No offense taken. I was just so grateful for all of our resources. And I am also beyond grateful I have been able to have so much extra time with you and your brother over these past 7 years.
You have shown us that you can do hard things. You will face any challenge that is thrown your way and you will overcome. Not only will you overcome - you will do it with honesty, integrity, respect, and grace. You will continue to have obstacles in life but I have no doubt that if you persistently seek God's help you will continue to push through the hard things and come out a better man, again and again and again.
I love you, Garrison Robert.
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." -Romans 5:3-4
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." -James 1:12
Then vs. Now
