A Strange Man in my House!

I had an interesting experience recently. I turned around and saw that there was a strange man in my house. At first glance he didn't look dangerous, so I held back my instinctive scream. After a second look, I realized he seemed vaguely familiar. Did I know him? His voice wasn't familiar, but there was something about the mischievous look in his eyes that made me think I should recognize him. As I studied him, it dawned on me who he must be. He was, (could it really be?), my little boy, just not so little anymore. How could this have happened? I turned my back for just a moment, and my little boy, Jordan, had turned into a man.



It's an amazing thing how children seem to grow at a steady pace, and then magically they grow up overnight. I experienced this once before with Mariasha, but it's still just as shocking the second time around. It's a time of such mixed feelings. I want the world for my children. I have tried to teach them to be independent, to be able to take care of themselves, but it's hard not to feel obsolete when they start to do just that. I feel like a bird, who's babies are edging toward that first, and hopefully not final, steep drop. I want them to fly, but at the same time I want to wrap them in my arms and protect them from the world.





Even Kallai and Taliah are growing up. They don't need me to hold their hand to cross the street, or even walk them to their friends house anymore. They don't need me to help them get dressed or make their breakfast. For the first time I can look ahead and really see the end of this time in my life, really comprehend the possibility of having all of my children grown. And for the first time I understand those parents who don't want their children to grow up. I have always been excited for each new adventure in my children's lives, the first day of school, the first scout camp, the first date. I didn't understand the parents who clung to their children and didn't want to let them get on the bus.






But now I can see it will end all too soon. A mother is the center of her child's universe. There is a unique mix of joy and sadness to realize I am not the most important person in some of my children's lives anymore, and to know that my days as MIP (most important person) are numbered for the rest. I know this is right and good, but I still might shed a tear over it.




My advice, hold your children close. Before you know it, they won't be children anymore.