Eighteen

My son turned eighteen last week and although this was not my first, it always feels so surreal to me. A week before his birthday, he says to me, “mom, you know next week is my birthday and technically, I will be an adult”. Really! It seems like just yesterday I was taking him to his first day of 1st grade and I can still remember how afraid he was walking into school on his first day of Junior High. Now, he's getting ready to go off to college, independent of mom or dad. A couple of weeks ago, we attended his college campus orientation and I have to admit, it felt good to see that he was still a little apprehensive, not knowing what to expect, and was happy that I was with him. Whenever I happen to drive by his high school I find that I am saddened by the realization that he won't be there in September. Keep in mind that I still have a sixteen year-old still attending, so you would think it doesn’t matter, but it does. Time will soon close the door on a part of my life that has meant the world to me. Raising my children was such a major part of who I am. Whatever else I’ve done, nothing was more important. It’s hard letting go and it’s just sad. I’m always telling younger parents, don’t rush it, enjoy your kids now don’t think about tomorrow, because they’re little ones for only a short while.