Spring has finally sprung here in Winnipeg giving us temperatures of up to 24 C degrees this past couple of weeks. Time to put away the winter gear and get our lighter clothing out of hiding. It’s when the season changes that I usually discover how my kids have grown in the past six months.
Ryan and Reggie needed new shoes and shirts and so we headed to the malls last weekend and the weekend before that. I didn’t realize that Ryan wears a men’s size shoes now. I had to make sure that the cashier knew that the shoes I was buying were for my 11-year old son lest she charges me another 7% for the GST (goods and services tax) on top of the 7% PST (provincial sales tax).
My boy is slowly growing right before my eyes. He’s an adolescent now. Just two weeks ago, I noticed a zit (pimple) on his forehead. Before I know it, he’ll be bringing girls home.
Which reminds me of the girl who shouted, “I love you, Reginald,” to my 16-year old right there at the center of the mall.
“Who’s that?” I asked.
He just smiled. It must be a girl from his school.
“Is that your girlfriend, Kuya Reggie?” Ryland teased him.
I stretched my arm backwards to reach for Ryland’s hand. He was walking with his older brothers and hesitated to grab my arm. What now? Didn’t he want to walk with his mommy, anymore?
I tell you. I can feel my youngest son starting to pull away from me at times. At church, he would brush away my index finger as I point out the words from the hymnbook. He used to make me point at the words so he could follow along with the song. But he’s pretty good at reading now and he has become more independent.
***
“Are you going to cry again?” That was my friend Elaine on the phone when I told her about Reggie’s school band trip.
“No, I don’t cry anymore. I’m already used to him going away.” That was my brave answer.
Elaine knew about the time I cried the very first time Reggie went away on a camping trip when he was in sixth grade. And the few other times he went to band trips. I haven’t cried the past few times he went though.
I should have let his father drop him off at school on Monday. That was our initial plan. Because his luggage was heavy and it was best if his father helped him. But he had to leave really early and it was still pitch dark outside so instead of walking, I called a cab and told the hubby that I’d go instead. We were taking the cab anyway. I think I just wanted to see my son off because this is his farthest and longest trip yet. I thought I was used to him going away on trips. But the moment I got back in the cab, I got pretty choked up.
It was that same feeling I had when I dropped off my youngest son on his first day of school. I knew that Ryland was coming back home and I knew that Reggie will be coming back home. I know that we should let our children spread their wings but it's just hard to let go.
12 comments:
Ah, the joys and pains of being a Mom.
You're three sons are good-looking, by the way.
Wow, you got it bad Mom! It's touching though. I'm sure it will be a lot harder on you than on them, but it won't be long and they WILL be on their own. Looks like you are going to be a wreck, poor thing. Is there a dad? If so, how does he take these temporary separations of offspring from the nest?
Yes it's true. It hurts to see them go. I'm expecting my pre-schooler to cry on his first day in school, instead he said "Bye mom you can go now."
Oh shucks, thanks, Jayred.
Phil, their dad is not the kind of person who shows and wants to talk about emotions. So, that's also my question. Do dads also feel this way?
Your kids, too, Ann, eh? When I was a little child, I cried on my first day of school. That's why I was surprised when none of my kids did.
Your boys are getting bigger and bigger. Soon, you'd see them with their respective girls na. Just don't cry when that happens, ha? :)
I also see my only son growing up and I know I will have to let him go soon. So is life... we just need to accept it.But I know it will hurt !
I will try not to cry, Abaniko.
So, I guess dads feel the pain too, eh Sidney?
Niceheart - i'm sure you'd be learning from ur experience with your eldest and you would be an expert when get to the third. With regard to clothes, the last one n the line always have the benefit of hand me downs.. lucky panganay!
I can tell you are a mother very much attached to your sons. But it's only natural that they will grow up, and be more independent. If fact, you shld be happy that they are able to take care of themselves. It means you have done a good job as a mother.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach the man how to fish and you feed him for a life!
Thanks BW and DR.
Hand-me-downs sure help. But not a lot in our house. My kids are 4 years apart from each other and the some of the clothes are already out of style when it comes to the next kid. Besides, they can sometimes be rough and clothes don't really last that long.
I like that saying, DR, and I live by it. That's how I was raised by my parents too.
how time flies and just look at them. they grow very fast!
cute boys!
It sure does, bing.
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