How is it possible I have helped to raise an infant to a man? It's as if time has both stood still and zipped by at warp speed. I see his first steps as if they happened yesterday. I hear his little boy voice calling from the other room. I feel the tug on my hair as he drifts off to sleep. I watch him shoot his first baskets.
But today, I turned around and found a man. One who must bend over to embrace me. One whose deep tone catches me by surprise. One whom I recognize only by the twinkle in his eye, the gentleness in his heart, and the uncanny resemblance to his father.
Just a few months ago, we were clutching to all of the "lasts"...the last Homecoming, the last football game, the last Senior night, the last Prom, the last baseball game and on and on. Each of these 'lasts' were held in reverence, celebrated but also grieved. Most came with at least a few tears shed, and brought us ever closer to impending adulthood.
I've heard people say various versions of the following statement about raising kids, "I'ts just not fair that we care for them, raise them, teach them, put up with them, and just when they get to be likable/enjoyable/understandable they up and leave." So woefully true!
But thankfully, today is also the beginning of many "firsts"...the first dorm experiences, the first team meal, the first college game day, the first care package, and the first parent's weekend! These too, will likely incite some tears; tears of joy, tears of pride, tears of gratitude for the blessing that is parenthood.
From firsts to lasts and lasts to first, what a journey it has been so far! Can't wait to see the rest of the story unfold!