I have been spending a lot of time lately reminiscing about my three boys and their childhood. I guess that is only natural considering we have just moved our 24-year-old son, Adrin, to Tampa, Fla. He is officially out of the nest, tree, and even woods. I am thrilled for him, but I am a little sad for me.
It doesn’t seem fair that he is moving so far away just as he reached the age where he is beginning to realize his parents aren’t so dumb. He had even gotten to the point where he enjoyed our company on a regular basis. Yes, miracles still happen. Now he is starting his own life far from home.
As a momma I am sure I would be taking this all a bit harder if it weren’t for the fact that he is working for his Uncle Jon. It is comforting to know he will see a familiar face every day. He also lives in the same apartment complex as his 25-year-old cousin. His Aunt Judy, whom he adores, lives 45 minutes away, and several of our dearest friends all live within a 40 mile radius of him.
It just dawned on me — maybe I am not really sad but jealous instead.
For those of you who don’t know my husband Donald and I both grew up in the Tampa Bay area, so in some sense Adrin is going “home.” Everything about his “new” life is so comforting and familiar to us. It is where Donald and I graduated from high school, met, and got married. We left the Tampa Bay area at the ages of 26 and 21 respectively. And, now our firstborn will be calling the same area home.
It doesn’t seem fair that he is moving so far away just as he reached the age where he is beginning to realize his parents aren’t so dumb. He had even gotten to the point where he enjoyed our company on a regular basis. Yes, miracles still happen. Now he is starting his own life far from home.
As a momma I am sure I would be taking this all a bit harder if it weren’t for the fact that he is working for his Uncle Jon. It is comforting to know he will see a familiar face every day. He also lives in the same apartment complex as his 25-year-old cousin. His Aunt Judy, whom he adores, lives 45 minutes away, and several of our dearest friends all live within a 40 mile radius of him.
It just dawned on me — maybe I am not really sad but jealous instead.
For those of you who don’t know my husband Donald and I both grew up in the Tampa Bay area, so in some sense Adrin is going “home.” Everything about his “new” life is so comforting and familiar to us. It is where Donald and I graduated from high school, met, and got married. We left the Tampa Bay area at the ages of 26 and 21 respectively. And, now our firstborn will be calling the same area home.
Life will often give you reason to pause. Last night I was lying in bed thinking about all the questions we are asked about our children through the years, and how those questions indicate phases of our lives. For instance: “Is it a boy or a girl?” This question starts as soon as someone can see you are pregnant. After the baby is born, this question can continue until they are well into their second year of life depending on how you dress them and how much hair they have.
Then a very popular conversation starter is, “Do they sleep through the night?” It is always so good when you can say “yes” to this question! Warning to all you who have infants and small children — you may be able to say yes to this question now, but when they are teenagers you will once again be saying “no.” At that age they are up all night and sleep all day. It makes you almost as crazy as when they were infants and wouldn’t sleep through the night.
Next is “Solid food?” “Potty trained?” ”Have they started school?” “What grade?” “What sport, activity, and how many of each?” “Is it your
week for car pool?” “Who are they taking to the dance?” “Where are they going to college?” “What is their major?” “Do they have a job?” “Where do they live?”
Just another quick warning to those of you just starting out — the time between “Is it a boy or a girl?” and “Where are they going to college?” is gone in the blink of an eye.
Then a very popular conversation starter is, “Do they sleep through the night?” It is always so good when you can say “yes” to this question! Warning to all you who have infants and small children — you may be able to say yes to this question now, but when they are teenagers you will once again be saying “no.” At that age they are up all night and sleep all day. It makes you almost as crazy as when they were infants and wouldn’t sleep through the night.
Next is “Solid food?” “Potty trained?” ”Have they started school?” “What grade?” “What sport, activity, and how many of each?” “Is it your
week for car pool?” “Who are they taking to the dance?” “Where are they going to college?” “What is their major?” “Do they have a job?” “Where do they live?”
Just another quick warning to those of you just starting out — the time between “Is it a boy or a girl?” and “Where are they going to college?” is gone in the blink of an eye.
Oh, I know some days and nights are long and you wish they would end, but take it from the mom who is now waiting on the, “Do you have any grandchildren?” question — it all flies by in a blur.
My hope is that each of you — no matter where you are in the journey, will find yourself sitting on a couch reminiscing about that precious baby, that you would swear was just born yesterday, with joy in your heart.
I hope the late nights of rocking your child when they were sick, and the late nights waiting for them to get home when they have broken curfew, all become memories that can bring a smile to your face.
And in your heart you know without a doubt you would do it all again.
My hope is that each of you — no matter where you are in the journey, will find yourself sitting on a couch reminiscing about that precious baby, that you would swear was just born yesterday, with joy in your heart.
I hope the late nights of rocking your child when they were sick, and the late nights waiting for them to get home when they have broken curfew, all become memories that can bring a smile to your face.
And in your heart you know without a doubt you would do it all again.
