Flashback

This is my boy today. A middle schooler. A deacon. He plays 2+ instruments. Almost a Star Scout. Loves Friday & Saturday because he can play video games (note the trance-like look in the picture). Thinks knives, guns & bombs are cool. Owns knives and a gun- but no bombs. Enjoys being with his friends. He has good friends, so I don't mind.
But there was a time when all he loved was ME. I think I have uncovered the day this began to change...
September 2, 2003

Taking Jeran to Kindergarten turned out to be more difficult than I expected. He was so excited to start school in Mr. Fontanella's class...until this morning. As soon as we arrived at school he said, "Mommy, my tummy hurts. I don't want to go to school today." We walked, very slowly towards the classroom. Luckily Mr. F came out at that moment and took Jeran's hand and helped us walk through the door. I stayed with Jeran and we looked at the fish, frogs, turtle, and all around the classroom. Then we read "Mrs. Bindergarden gets ready for Kindergarten".
Finally it was time for me to leave. I walked out with his class to recess and said good-bye. Jeran looked at me and said, "I don't know what to do now," and wiped his eyes. My heart broke for him. "Why don't you go play with the other kids. I'll see you soon, okay?" I gave him a big smile and a hug then turned around and walked away. It was hard. I couldn't look back because he would have seen the tears in my eyes. I went and sat in the car and just cried for awhile. Then I went about my day. I picked him up at 2:00 PM. The first thing Jeran said was, "Guess what, Mom? Today was great!" Sigh. I wish I could adjust that quickly to changes in my own life!

Fortunately he still likes to snuggle his Mom. But he is growing up a lot faster than I expected. When your baby is born, 18 years sounds like a long time. Then you blink, and they are twelve!

Someday in the future will I be the one saying, "I don't know what to do now"? If so, I hope someone will tell me to look around and go play with my friends. I like that plan. I have some fun friends that I want to go on adventures with. And I fully expect that my grown-up babies will have become my friends too.