Today I switch gears a bit...tomorrow is a difficult day. You probably think.."She says this all the time..so what is new" right? But tomorrow is a different difficult...it is a bittersweet moment that has been coming for years...my eldest son is college bound and now I must let go of my beautiful baby boy and send him off into this big world so that he can start his OWN journey.
A lot of parents are rejoicing but not I...don't get me wrong...I'm excited that he has grown into an independent, responsible young man. I'm excited for his new journey where he will discover what he wants out of life, what his purpose is. What I am not excited about is that I won't be there with him. He will no longer come home everyday from school and raid the fridge. He will no longer ask me to drive him to work, I will no longer be there in the stands to watch his early morning hockey practices (once he makes the sun devils team), I won't get to be there when he gets a bad cold and needs mom to get him some medicine. I won't get to see that beautiful smile that melts my heart, I won't get that hug or the "I love you too, mom" everyday. I will miss the hockey bag smell in the garage, I will miss passing his messy room while walking down the hallway to go to his sisters room. I will miss the late night text messages telling me "Hey mom, just going out to get something to eat".
Although my parenting role will never cease to exist, it will change significantly. No longer is this a young child to parent relationship..it is now an adult child to parent relationship. We will still have our disagreements and meltdowns, but now I must let him put to practice all the values and lessons I have taught him and have faith him to make good choices on this new adventure into college life.
What I want most for my college child to know is he always has a place to call home. I will always be here for him no matter what. He can call me anytime...when he's happy, when he's sad, when he's in trouble...I will always listen. I will offer him suggestions and ask him how I can help. I want happiness for him, I want him to choose his own path...not what he thinks other people want him to do. If college isn't his thing after this first year then he needs to find what makes him happy. I want him to be successful and pave his own roads.
He will always be that little 7lb 2 oz baby boy born on December 16th 1998 on a chilly morning in Chilliwack BC Canada. He will always be my all star hockey player. I will always look at him with awe and wonder...for I know he is destined to do great things. I love you my son...this ones for you!
Sheryl, you have done well so far. Dylon is a fine young man. He has values that will take him far. Bittersweet it is. I remember clearly when that time came for each of my kids. Some I got to share the experience with, some not. He will always be there with you, in your heart, in your mind and in your emotions. You will always be there for him. This is a time for a whole gamut of emotions, cherish each one, they come from many years of goodness. I will continue thinking of you both as this new phase in both of your lives begins. Bill
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