Little Unexpected Milestones

The PLRH boys are growing up. Heck, I could even argue that they’re already grown up. G-Man will be 15 years old June 25th and two days later we leave for Maryland to deliver Mr. A to the Naval Academy.

Something happened this morning that reminded me that it’s the little things that take me unawares and let me know that my little boys are now young men. The “any day” occurrence that sneaks up and makes me take note of the passage of time. These brief moments mean more to my mother’s heart than any traditional milestone.

The first day of kindergarten? I was cool as a cucumber on the days each of my boys started school.

Same thing for first day of middle school, first day of high school, National Honor Society Induction, driver’s license, 8th grade dance, prom, etc…

But I will never forget the feeling of the hot tears rolling down my cheeks the morning I couldn’t reach to kiss Mr. A on the top of his head before he left for school.

Or the first time G-Man was able to order his own dinner in a noisy, crowded Applebee’s after a year of intense speech therapy and the waitress understood him! His speech therapist, Miss Tina and I cried about that one together the following week.

So what happened this morning? Due to a car maintenance scheduling issue, I needed to drive the boys to school before going onto work. As we were about to walk out the door, G-Man bolted for the bathroom and puked. I made the instant decision for him to stay home and the rest of us would carry on. But the Mom in me made me stop back by the house after I dropped Mr. A at school.

Back at home I made sure that G-Man was all settled and I talked to my Mom on the phone. Even though I knew that Grandmother (my Mom) was only a phone call and two miles away, I still got a pang of growing pains when I picked up my car key and said good-bye to my youngest.

I felt a little sad that my “baby” was old enough to stay home sick by himself and that I wasn’t needed. But by the time I got to the door, I was proud that he’s mature enough and that I trust him to stay home. Of course, that didn’t stop me from texting him throughout the morning to check on him or my mother from picking him up at lunchtime so she could make him something to eat at her house.


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Your Turn
What makes you take notice of the passage of time? The big milestones or the little unexpected things?