He's 19??? #sol15
Today is a special day. My oldest son turns 19. 19!! I can't get over that. Now that he is away at college, I find myself picturing him in my mind as a much younger child. When I close my eyes, I see him at 3, or 10, or maybe 14, never 19! I remember when he was younger always thinking to myself, oh I have lots of time with him. No need to dwell right now, I have lots of years before he leaves home; and now he has. To be honest, it isn't my favorite thing. However, there are some pieces of this young man that he has become that I love! Sometimes he calls or texts me just because. To me, this says that he acknowledges my need to keep him near, and he is doing that on his terms. Also, when he comes home, he cleans up after his little brother. Whoa! Where was that when he lived here??? When he was at home for Christmas, he went shopping afterward for the sales. He brought me home a Texas Tech tshirt that he had bought for me with his Christmas money. I cried. So I am hopeful that the man he will become is kind and thoughtful. We'll see, but it is looking promising.
I guess all of that is to say this... Please enjoy the time you have your kids at home when they are little. Just stop the madness and sit down and read with them, play ninjas, snuggle, or just be together. It will pass before you know it. The good news for you guys with teenagers, they WILL come back to you, I promise!
Sincerely,
Tara Reed
can totally relate to this post my girls are 16 and the future is looming ahead like a great unknown. I thank you for sharing this with us because it helps to know there is a bigger community of parents who understand this bittersweet time in development. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteJennifer- it is hard, but gets better!!!
Deletecan totally relate to this post my girls are 16 and the future is looming ahead like a great unknown. I thank you for sharing this with us because it helps to know there is a bigger community of parents who understand this bittersweet time in development. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteIt gets even better! My girls just turned 21 and 23. We are making the transition to being more than parent child, to being friends. I have such fun with them!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your son, and congrats to you for being such a great mom to have raised such a sweet, considerate young man.
I still have my girls for a little while. They are 11 and 7, though I was just thinking that I will have the 11 year old for less years at home than I have already had her. :( Thank you for the reminder "stop the madness and sit down and read with them, play ninjas, snuggle, or just be together." I am so bad at that and life is just passing me by while I do the "important" stuff which has so little relevance in life. I could feel the pride in this piece and your love for your son. You have raised a considerate, thoughtful man! Congrats mom! :)
ReplyDeleteSo gratified to hear this! We are just on the cusp of freshman year of college. Can't wait to meet the young woman who comes home at Christmas break!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this post. My oldest will turn twenty in a month. I love when she sends me a message and we meet at a bookstore. Everyone is thrilled when she comes home for a weekend. You are right, the time goes in a flash. Your advice to parents of smaller children is spot on.
ReplyDeleteHappy 19 years of motherhood! It sounds like you've been doing someting right.
ReplyDeleteI hope if I have a kiddo one day they turn out as awesome as yours! What a thoughtful, caring young man you've raised! Happy Birthday to him! :-)
ReplyDeletePrecious! I love seeing your family through your eyes and reflections!!
ReplyDeleteI would say you are doing an awesome job!!!
Love you, my friend!!
I know you are so proud of your son, Tara. He sounds like a really remarkable young man, and there is no doubt all those afternoons of playing ninja and reading books together paid off. Time slips away quickly, and relationship evolve. I think parenting adult children has it's advantages and challenges. Enjoy your time with Tripp! Hope you get an extra ice day to spend together.
ReplyDeleteI so relate. Taking time to enjoy the moment, the here and now with children is so important. Going to take your advice right now and do so:)
ReplyDelete