Building my Brand - The JRob Factor

JRob is a nickname I've always had for my son. I don't say it out loud much, but I type it all the time.

I had Jonathan when I was 20. I was a shocked and scared new mother, but he was the best thing that ever happened. And I think sometimes even as a baby, he comforted me just as much as I comforted him.

When he was just shy of 7, I got a job opportunity that would require us to move to North Carolina from Georgia. I only knew a few coworkers, but he would be leaving all of the family and friends he'd ever known. He was such a trooper. And he even asked me to buy him a UNC short set he saw, so he could wear it on the day we moved. And he did put it on, that chilly spring Monday in April 1997. Poor thing, his stomach was in knots. But when we arrived in NC, we picked up the keys to our new apartment and started making our new place our home. We went and picked out things for his room and started to build our new life.

And a great life it has been. He's made me proud. He is so much a part of me that replaying his life is replaying my own. From track practices and track meets, working on school projects, becoming a rugby mom (yes, I said rugby... only Jonathan) taking him for his first job interview, watching him march across that stage - all of these are part of our tapestry. And no matter what storms have come, nothing could shake our love for each other. Nothing.

So this dude, almost 21 years my junior, has taught me a few things. And I see a few things in him that I know came from me. And it all just makes me love the part he plays in my brand.

* Be slow to speak and slow to anger. Only say what needs to be said. No other words are necessary.

* It is okay to try something new. And it is just as okay to walk away from it when it no longer brings you joy.

* Have a great work ethic. It not only makes others feel good about who you are, it makes you feel good about yourself.

* At the end of the day, family will be there. No matter how far you've wandered off, the ones who love you will still be there for you.

* Have a swag about yourself. It is part of what makes you, YOU.

Thanks, J, for teaching me so much about life.