Before you know...they're grown.

Eleven years ago, Charlie (then 4 years old) and I walked Casey into the elementary school for his first day of kindergarten. I'd been looking forward to my boys starting school so I could actually have a few hours without a child anywhere near me, and with Casey starting kindergarten...I was half way there! Yeah, I know, mother of the year... Just try to focus here. So Charlie and I are walking Casey into the school to his first classroom. I'm telling him how proud I am of him, trying to make it easier for him, as he takes off running into the classroom leaving Charlie and I out in the hall. Not even a nod of acknowledgement in my direction. I peek into the class and he's talking to other kids, no problems at all. Charlie and I start walking back out of the building when the oddest thing happened. I started crying. Where in the hell did tears come from?? I'd been waiting for this day since Casey was two days old. I'm passing people in the hall, Charlie's holding my hand, and I'm trying with every ounce of my being to keep from breaking down and sobbing like an idiot. We get outside the school and I reach down, picking Charlie up and holding him as we walk to the car. I get him settled in, I get behind the wheel and I lose it. I start crying, some might call it sobbing, but I'll deny it. I feel Charlies sweet little hand rubbing my arm. I look over at him, wiping my eyes and he said "Don't worry Mom, we'll get him back". I'll never forget it as long as I live.

Yesterday, Casey and I scheduled the classes for his senior year of high school. He's got a 3.5 grade average and only needs 3 credits to graduate, but he's going to take some electives. And yet, he'll still have 3 off periods a day. I can't believe how he's grown into such a great young man. This 6'1", 170 lb., 16 year old young man sitting next to me, teasing me, poking me in the ribs trying to get me to not take it all so seriously...this is my son. I am so proud of him. I was already in the schools library waiting for him, so I was watching as he walked in. Tall, handsome, full of confidence and such a sweet smile on his face. He didn't see me. I watched girl, after girl stop him on his way back to where we were meeting. Each time he'd give them a hug. When he got to where I was sitting, 'hey Casey' came from every direction. It's one of the few times I've gotten to see him in 'his element', and it made me smile. This is my son. As we started planning his next year, we laughed and had fun. Occasionally, I'd get serious, thinking about it being his senior year, but then he'd get me laughing by telling me that he was thinking of taking Tallenettes (sorta like dancing cheerleaders) or an aerobics class. I love this kid.

This is a picture I took of the boys on one of their breaks last year when the three of us went to San Antonio for a week. We were having dinner on the Riverwalk. I told them to lean in and let me take a picture of them to send home to their Dad. This is what I got. This is nearly always what I get. That's why, my friends, I'm so happy with my life. Casey is 18 months older than Charlie. They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. Eleven years ago I walked Casey into a kindergarten class, or at least I tried to, as he ran into that new adventure waiting for him in that class room. Yesterday, I'm helping him schedule his senior year, preparing him for college. Reflecting back on it now, as I write this, I'm wondering who is preparing whom. Regardless of all the wrongs I've done in my life, parenting is something that I got right.

Babies Grow
Babies grow
and before you know...
they're little boys and girls.
With baseball bats
and cowboy hats
or dolls with lots of curls.

At first they cry,
then learn to whine
till a tantrum they can throw.
But you know they're good,
they just misunderstood
what you meant when you said "NO".

They try to crawl
and then to stand,
next they're walking on their own.
You hold them tight,
you say good night
and before you know...they're grown.

by me, kfmb :)