Last night I went into the local grocery store to pick up a few items, and was met by the strangest sight. Two boys that my son played Baseball with back in Elementary School were working as Sackers..... My oldest has talked about starting work next year, and I know that day is coming. But seeing those boys with their light fuzzy facial hair, WORKING, came as quite a shock. I suddenly felt so OLD! My baby boy is becoming a man.
I can still remember the day he was born. Looking into his eyes for the first time, holding him, awed and humbled to be given such a precious gift. I still remember his smile, and that sweet baby smell as I held him close to me when he was an infant. Now he is 15, will be driving soon, and working..... Where did the time go?
As he enters this next stage in life, he introduces us to all new worries.... car crashes, teen pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, smoking, staying out late, not knowing where he is, if he is O.K. I'd like to think that none of these common "teen problems" will touch us, but reality says at least some of them will. I can only hope that we have taught him well enough, made him strong enough, to make the right choices in life. But letting go is so hard.
As I look at each of my four children, I know the day will come when they will be on their own. I will always be here to support, encourage, and catch them should they ever fall. As parents we spend our lives preparing them for when that day comes.
But I wonder......... have I prepared myself?
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