Is he still gorgeous? Empirically, yes.
Is he as sweet? Definitely.
Is he my boy? No doubt.
Is he a little boy? Um, no.
Hello, high school. Get ready!
I remember writing him a letter for kindergarten. I told him to fly and knew he would do wonderful things, and I can't say I felt differently then than I do now about his going to high school in a few days. I love him so that sometimes it takes my breath. I could still watch him for hours and never tire, and if it's possible, I think I enjoy being in his company even more now. People are biased about their kids, but this one truly is special. He's wise, he's hilarious, he's quick as lightning (mentally and on the ice), but more than that he's kind, thoughtful, a really good friend. Just wow. Far ahead of where I was at 14.
In between, we've had adventures and tears. 2016 was a year in which we lost way too many people, starting with my dad. He's had four broken arms, enough that the doctors pulled us and him aside to make sure he is safe at home, and a fractured spine. His main focus, more and more, is hockey, but he recently had a piano recital that included a Chopin waltz on my dad's piano that would've made him cry happy tears. I'm proud to be his mom every day.
I am dreading his getting his license. Right now I have all to myself in the car a lot. A. LOT. We listen to music I love, music he loves, we ridicule Ringo Starr ("Is he the best drummer in the world?" "He's not even the best drummer in the Beatles." -John Lennon), we talk about everything. It's glorious. We have all sorts of jokes together and laugh often. I feel like he sees me and I see him. The thought of losing that is unbearable, but better to have loved and lost....
So fly, little man. Be the human you are meant to be, and share your gorgeous. Entrance those who meet you and learn a thing or two along the way. Work hard. Achieve. Pick your battles. Decide what's important to you and put that first, whatever it is. Stand up for what you know is right.
And keep snuggling with your mama here and there.
