Well here we are at one of my least favorite days of the year. The house is empty as the wife and kids have headed back to school. Going home for lunch isn't any great treat right now, as I have to get used to the empty rooms.
Life is moving so terribly fast! Suddenly I've got a kid in 10th and another in middle school. Gone are the days of waiting together for the bus to come. Present are the days of engaging conversations and occasional advice (and my kids are as likely to offer it as ask for it). I definitely enjoy these times with my kids, but it really does seem like the clock is accelerating and they are just a few breaths away from heading out on their own. I love my life too much not to get a little misty over the passing of eras. I am that blessed.
At the birth of my children so many of my elders said "hang on to these times and enjoy them. They are gone before you know it." Wisdom. Wisdom
No, Kendall said, but couldn't publish without "going anonymous"...
ReplyDeleteI feel ya, Bro. On the way to work this morning, I saw one father smiling, a bit misty-eyed, taking a photo as his tiny son climbed waaaaay up into the bus.
Of course you know, my two sons are out of high school. My next stage to pass into will be empty nest syndrome, and I'm not sure how to feel about that. Son number 1 has flown the coop and is doing very well for his adult self. Son number two hasn't set a talon on the branch yet.
Empty rooms? Crank that stereo! Dance to da MUSIC! They'll be home soon enough. Relax and regress a little.
But I don't advise doing a Tom Cruise/Risky Business impression. In your line of work, you never know who will come to the door or when. "Keep your pants on," could be yelled from either side of the door.
Our kids amaze us. I am blessed that most of my tears inspired by my two have been tears of joy. My sons have touched me so that I do not regret growing old as they grow up. I thoroughly enjoy the changing roles we each play. I'm learning so much from them as they have learned from me.
Still, those school days. I don't miss the annual school shopping, the shuttling or the candy bar sales. But the day-to-day growth during the school years- discovering them discovering everything- THAT I miss.
Blessings to you and yours, which are by DNA and love, also mine. And blessings to all parents and students at the beginning of another school year.
Those that bemoan the loss of prayer in school apparently aren't eavesdropping during midterms and finals. Love y'all, Kendall
"Those that bemoan the loss of prayer in school apparently aren't eavesdropping during midterms and finals."
ReplyDeleteHa!!! Amen on that, Kendall! They apparently don't have to experience the Regents either!
Alas and alack, the day finally came when I sent my "baby" to HIGH SCHOOL and will now proceed to the four year count down. I was so tempted to get my camera and take the traditional first day of school picture, but I hesistated for the fear of that glare. You know the one, the "Oh My God you are soooo uncool." glare.
I'm now looking at all that potential; all the classes that fuel her creativity and sense of self, all the things that will continue to inspire her and eventually give her a foundation to build upon in her future life. And it's a wild ride. Sometimes I feel like I'll never catch up, but then I see her achieve something new, and I swell up with such pride!
And like you said Corey, those deep, profound conversations that make me take a pause and step back to really see her for the person she is, and reveals to me that what I am passing on to her is sinking in and taking hold and guiding her, leaving me to stop and relax and know that she will be Okay!
I think overall I'm just always in Awe that 14 years has passed yet I still remember that feeling when they laid her on my chest and the powerful sense of transition, that not only 10 minutes had gone by that I carried this child in my belly wondering what "it" would be. And there she is, laying on my chest with a "Feed Me Seymour" look on her face!
And now she's coming into her own...testing her talons, yet every once in a while I get to feel the weight of her head on my shoulder, as she gives me a hug, and reminds me that no matter how grown she gets, she'll always be my baby! (Seems simple but sometimes when those talons are jabbed in your back ala sarcasm, it's easy to forget! :))
I love you too, Dad!
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