One week ago, John turned 21. My baby. This has hit me harder than I thought it would, and I'm contemplating the years that flew by so quickly. I can see him pedaling down the sidewalk with his hand-me-down bicycle like it was yesterday, and the thrill he had when the training wheels were removed. I can see him with that backpack walking off to school, but stopping to wave good-bye to me while I was looking out the window and doing our secret signs for "I love you." I can see him dressed for his first dance in high school...just about the same height as the shortest girl in the class, Gretchen. I can see him backing out of the driveway with a brand new license in his back pocket. I can see him with his high school cap and gown on posing for the camera, arms flung around the backs of his buddies. I can see him heading off to college with his goods - especially making sure he had plenty of speakers for his music. And now, he has an internship for the summer...his last summer "free" before entering the world of a career he is trying to prepare for now. And he's no longer living at home.
I would just like to encourage those of you in the midst of being busy parents to take the time to enjoy the moment you are in now. Right now. Remember what your
child's voice sounds like...the smells of your child after a day of playing, swimming and living, the sights of his/her messy room. How well I remember how overwhelming some days were and the best part of the day was when the child was freshly bathed, read to, and now fast asleep. Savor. Treasure. Enjoy. It goes so quickly and before you know it, your child will be 21 and on the cusp of a life you have tried to prepare him/her for and now they are truly ready. And you can breathe a sigh of relief for them coming so far in life, yet you can never truly say the mothering is done. You'll still have your heart strings tugged and if life deals them a tough deal, you will still feel like that Mother Bear who dares anyone to mess with her cub.
Thanks, John, for making my life so much more wonderful with your birth 21 years ago. I've learned so much from you and am amazed with the young man you are today!
I look forward to the continuing journey!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
A Mother's Moment
One week ago, John turned 21. My baby. This has hit me harder than I thought it would, and I'm contemplating the years that flew by so quickly. I can see him pedaling down the sidewalk with his hand-me-down bicycle like it was yesterday, and the thrill he had when the training wheels were removed. I can see him with that backpack walking off to school, but stopping to wave good-bye to me while I was looking out the window and doing our secret signs for "I love you." I can see him dressed for his first dance in high school...just about the same height as the shortest girl in the class, Gretchen. I can see him backing out of the driveway with a brand new license in his back pocket. I can see him with his high school cap and gown on posing for the camera, arms flung around the backs of his buddies. I can see him heading off to college with his goods - especially making sure he had plenty of speakers for his music. And now, he has an internship for the summer...his last summer "free" before entering the world of a career he is trying to prepare for now. And he's no longer living at home.
I would just like to encourage those of you in the midst of being busy parents to take the time to enjoy the moment you are in now. Right now. Remember what your
child's voice sounds like...the smells of your child after a day of playing, swimming and living, the sights of his/her messy room. How well I remember how overwhelming some days were and the best part of the day was when the child was freshly bathed, read to, and now fast asleep. Savor. Treasure. Enjoy. It goes so quickly and before you know it, your child will be 21 and on the cusp of a life you have tried to prepare him/her for and now they are truly ready. And you can breathe a sigh of relief for them coming so far in life, yet you can never truly say the mothering is done. You'll still have your heart strings tugged and if life deals them a tough deal, you will still feel like that Mother Bear who dares anyone to mess with her cub.
Thanks, John, for making my life so much more wonderful with your birth 21 years ago. I've learned so much from you and am amazed with the young man you are today!
I look forward to the continuing journey!
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2 comments:
John and Anne are both so lucky to have you as their mother.
Thanks for sharing such kind, thoughtful, pleasant words on your remembrance of parenting and John's life.
Sniff. Wow, Deb. Thanks for the meditation. I'm off to give Peej a giant hug.
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