A New Man in My Life
Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008
by Roschelle Nelson
Our son (the oldest...the baby is 7) will be a Senior in high school this fall. I capitalized Senior because if you've been there, you know it's a milestone. Well this morning his school had what's called an Educational Fair for Parents. They covered what the plans were going to be for the school year, introduced new teachers, served a little brunch and pretty much just made themselves available for any questions or concerns the parents had. At the end, class schedules for each student were given to the parents.Now, I'm just like the average young woman swiftly approaching 40. I don't know where in the world the time went. Reading that informative note reminded me of the fall of 1986 when I was embarking on my Senior year in high school. I was amazed and surprised when I noticed that tears were beginning to form and even more shocked when they started streaming down my face.
It was then that I realized that my husband and I have raised a man. Of course, he'll always be my baby. But now it's his time to make his mark on the world.
He's not that little boy who cried everytime the lion roared before an MGM movie was about to come on. He's not that little boy who panicked everytime a thunderstorm was brewing over the horizon; fearful that we would be blown away after watching Bill Paxton make "Twister" look so real. He's not that little boy that wanted all the Pokemon cards and spent hours explaining to me what each one of them meant. He's not that little boy I watch in the home videos whenever I get a chance. That little boy is gone.
My son is a man. He's a man that will make me one of the proudest parents in the world. He's a man who will one day be a loving father and husband. He's a man who will one day lead by example or follow with conviction.
When we made it home our son was just getting out of bed. He stumbled into the living room kissing me and his Dad on the cheek. Before I knew it I grabbed him and held him tight and told him I loved him. He looked at me like the basket case I was behaving like and assured me that he loved me too. He grabbed some juice out of the fridge and headed back to his room to play video games.
I'll always miss that little boy. Although, the memories will keep that part of him with me always.
However, getting to know this new man in my life is the next adventure in the novel I call "The Gift of Life".
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Excellent article Roschelle! I have been there, done that and have my youngest at home to go through it one more time (16 almost 17). As I have watched them all become young men, I too will forever have all the memories that seem to have come and gone at lightening speed. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience. Would you believe that I cry tears of joy often when I reflect on the wonderful men they have become?Please log in to respond to this comment.thanks for commenting. I am so looking forward to it!Please log in to respond to this comment.I am glad you are so looking forward to it. My twins have since married and I have two grandsons. It is different and another wonderful gift and delight. I joined your fan club and I think Mark Parsec (hubby) already did. Your writing is great.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you so much for such kind words. Mark is a great writer. I always enjoy his articles. I'm going to have to look you up as well. Thanks againPlease log in to respond to this comment.
hi roschelle,i can totally relate to this touching article. both my daughter and son are on their own now, and i wish there were barbie's and all their furniture, and GI Joe's, on the family room floor, instead of driving me crazy as they once did. there is one fact i forgot about when they were born, and that is, that they would someday leave,thanks for a great article,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.it is hard to imagine someone you've nurtured, cared for, loved, and tucked tightly into bed each night - actually leaving you. But as Simba famously put it (with a little help from Elton John..lol), It's the Circle of Life.Please log in to respond to this comment.
I enjoyed your little article for my Sunday reading.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks Jessie! Glad you enjoyed it.RoschellePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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