[Original Mike]

Well, just when you think Lifetime has cornered the market on Holiday schmaltzy stories, I have my own to add.

Yesterday, I was sitting in my office counting revenues and pondering as to whether to forclose on the orphanage today or to wait until Christmas Eve when there was a knock on my private office door. (Keep in mind, NOBODY gets past my assistant, but she was on her break.)

I look up and C is standing in the doorway. Now, keep in mine, we haven't had a lot of contact since his crime spree this past summer. He asked if he could come in and I motioned him to one of the chairs in front of my desk. I noticed that he had NO make-up on and all of his (visible) piercings were gone as well.

We talked for a while and he talked about how he's finally seeing how good he had it and how he screwed everything up. He even fessed up to stealing M's Ipod, which really wasn't stolen. C said he dropped it into the space behind the aquarium. I'll be checking that tonight.

We visited for about an hour. He's going to spend Christmas Day with us at my Mom's and I'm going to take him shopping after Christmas for some good "job hunting" clothes and a haircut.

Do I think he's sincere? I don't know. He may be just wallowing in self-pity with Christmas coming up. Either way, I'm going to try to have a nice Christmas.

Mike

[kay]

Oh, Mike,
This made me cry with joy. I have been praying so hard for C and for you! Hooray and Hallelujah!
So happy for you both - Merry Christmas!!!

[2manyks]

mike - you've obviously done a good job with C. he came back. whether he stays or not is his problem, but for now you can see the good part of him!

[Kerbchek]

Sounds to me like he's sincere... but only you can sense that the best... It was so good to hear he came to speak with you... that is really awesome. At least he's verbalizing how he didn't know how good he had it - This could be his first step in rebuilding your relationship... Whatever you do, have a good Holiday!

[lucyjoy]

Self pity or not, it took alot for that young man to come to you and admit his errors. I do understand your caution, as those nails through the heart leave deep scars.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that C's ready to make some more mature decisions for his life.

[Lylac]

I dito everything that Lucy just said... Hopefully this is the beginning to a brighter new year for ya'll.


Oh wait Foreclose on the Orphanage??? I say do it, you know none of us care about kids needing homes in the least.

[dadfor2]

what great news mike.....it actually is a lifetime movie....lol

makeup gone, piercings gone...(not that there is anything wrong with that...lol) but for him to do all that, he must have reached some emphiny.(sp?)..

anyway, enjoy christmas, and if he really has changed and wants to do well, what a great christmas gift to you.

even if he falls back to his old ways, at least you know you made a big dent in his life, for it is you he came to when he realized that with you, he had a good life.

cant beat that...

[Barksum]

So glad to hear that C came to see you!! That must of warmed the cockles of your heart. Enjoy the forward momentum. Revel in your family on Christmas. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own.

P.S. What did you decide about forclosure on the orphanage - this week or next??

[aspenhall]

OH MAN!!!

I think he is probably sincere....because if I remember right this were really good, and then went sour later...so he isn't inventing this relationship out of manipulation in my opinion. PLUS I would expect piercings/make-up to be intact if it were all a ruse...

I'm, jumping for joy for you AND C!

[zebramom]

Mike-

I understand your hesitancy, believe me. I don't get my hopes up too often anymore.

Take it one day at a time, and if you feel like you're being manipulated, take an objective look at things.

Having him join you for Christmas at your moms is a good "neutral" thing to do.

Prayers that he has "seen the light" and that he is sincere. I'm glad he trusted you enough to at least try.

[tybeemarie]

I am delighted! I have always had a soft spot for C, who is a sweet boy underneath the makeup and piercings. I think it took HUGE courage and humility for him to come to you and say all that he did. I hope this is the beginning stage of a return to your old closeness.

You are right to have him at your mom's. Taking the Bible as a model, when the prodigal son returns, you whoop it up, you par-TAY, you rejoice that the son who was dead is alive. (As a vegetarian, I cannot recommend killling the fatted calf, but if you must do so, it is best to do so with a grass-fed, organic, farm-raised animal.)

Will he mess up again? Yes, he will. So will we all, sinners that we universally are. But inside, Mike, C is a sweet boy. He really is. I am so glad you are reunited!!!!

Yeah! Have a great Christmas!

[waited2long]

I hope you get your Christmas wish and your son has truly come home.

[SAHmom]

Mike, I hope you and C have an enjoyable Christmas!

[momraine]

I will be praying for you guys! I sure hope it's real. I am proud of him for making the effort and you for listening to him!

[mrsred]

Mike, I pray that you find the grace and mercy that the father found to welcome uhome his son in the story of the prodigal son.