I Need More Time!

This February is hitting me a little different than in years past. My sweet baby boy will be 18 years old this month and graduate from high school in June. How on earth can he be headed to college this fall? I need more time with him!

Admittedly, this isn’t the first time I’ve had a child graduate and leave home; my eldest is 30. I’ve tried to understand why this time feels so hard, and why already! Perhaps it’s because of the age difference—I had two toddlers at home when he was a teen? Honestly, I really haven’t spent that much time focusing on the “why” of it all, as I’m too busy looking for tissues dry my teary eyes.

Xman’s impending adulthood has me reminiscing on the COVID lock downs. It was a scary time, but I thoroughly enjoyed our bubble at home. Our lives of sports, school, friends, and all of the other things that took up all of our time came to a screeching halt. I loved every second of our uninterrupted time together. I really got to know my teens in a way I wouldn’t have been able to in “normal times”, and that is something I will always treasure.

These days, my senior and I are like two ships passing in the night. He was thoroughly enjoying every moment his high school experience, and I am so proud of the amazing young man he has become. He is kind, funny, smart, handsome, loyal, respectful and has a smile that lights up any room he is in.

Ferris Bueller wisely said “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” The past 18 years have gone by in blink of an eye and since I have not found a way to turn back time, I am committed to savoring every moment I have with him.

Love and light,

~Shelley