It was my graduating quote in my yearbook. “I want everything to stop, I want to remember.” This shirt has experienced many magical mysteries, but is now too small and I have to decide: does it “go to the box” or “go to the sale”? It was the first song our oldest learned, and both of our boys were famous for marching around the playroom and blowing on an invisible horn with the band in the song while it played. It’s a simple shirt featuring The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine. It’s been hiding in the bottom corner of the drawer for nearly a year now, unworn, but not unloved. It’s just a shirt, and it’s now too small for both of our boys to wear. Before you know it, this will pass and what you’ll be left holding is a heart full of memories and a life full of experiences.As I rifled through my son’s drawers trying to pull out a short sleeve shirt for him to wear, I lingered over one and sighed. While that is true, remember to cherish every moment of this breathtaking space called childhood and tween-age. People may say (as I do) that you are growing up too fast. How you handle it today will go a long way towards building your reserves for the future. I may not admit it at the moment but I actually love watching you navigate this phase of life. What I love about you is your sense of balance and the fact that you can be as helpful and eager on one day and moody and churlish the next. Don’t let either of it sway you too hard. Life is waiting in the wings, to sucker punch you and delight you, both. It is my honest wish that you take growing up with a pinch of salt but a lot of readiness. I see it in your eyes I feel it in your hugs I sense it in the deep, thought-provoking things that you say, when you say it. You are a very unique blend of childhood and a wise old soul. If we bottle up our emotions, we end up exploding when we least expect it. I’ve realised that is all that you need sometimes: an outlet for your anger and compassion when it overwhelms you.Ī few years ago, I’d have lectured you on the need to respect your elders and controlling your emotions. Within minutes, you came and hugged me, apologising for the outburst. I waited a few minutes and then walked quietly over to your room and went about helping you put your things away. After standing there, glaring at me for a few minutes you stormed away and slammed the door. Do you remember the time you lashed out at me for forgetting to call a friend of yours the night before? I looked up in genuine astonishment but did not react. I know it’s a part of the adolescent stage and it’s taken me by surprise on many occasions. Your emotions are highly volatile, though. You look up from your book with genuine surprise and ask, ‘Are you still worried about that? I forgot all about it.’ But, you reflect a maturity far beyond your years in this situation. When I’ve scolded you for something and end up feeling bad, I apologise, usually within the hour. I’ve noticed how infinitely kind you are and it doesn’t come easily to everyone. Your kindness is one that I can always learn from. Photo for representation purposeĪnd yet, I am proud of who you are growing up to be. I yearn for the days when the patter of tiny feet would alert me to the fact that you were awake early in the morning and had followed me into the kitchen, reaching out for your hug and a glass of milk. I miss those tiny cheeks that would snuggle against my own as I tried, in vain, to fall asleep after a long day. On the one hand I miss that chubby, cherubic face of yours that I could cup and shower with kisses. There’s a beauty in growing up as much as there is a sadness. Although I doubt if you know what the word ‘inevitable’ means yet. That it’s part of life, that there isn’t any other way to go about it and that it’s inevitable.
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