Speaking from the Heart

No, not me. I don't sound like a broken record. I don't constantly telling Katherine to clean her room. When she was at a friend's house one weekend, I braved myself to enter her room. Instead of leaving the room with an expression of madness, I felt a teardrop coming down. I realized that one day I am going to miss this.

Katherine was allowed to go to the fair without me tagging along.  This was very special, because the last time she went to the fair, she was 3 years old. She had such a blast with her best friend Lindsey.  What made it more special was Lindsey's mom bought them airbrushed T-shirts. Katherine's T-shirt says " Katherine  & Lindsey,  B.F.F."  and Lindsey's shirt says the opposite. 

Looking at the grin on her face, Katherine had an awesome time. I am gonna miss her big grin.

You know your kids are becoming teenagers when they would rather talk to their friends, rather than talking to you.  When the kids are grown and the house is too quiet, I am gonna miss this moment. What moment will you miss?

Katherine was totally surprised when she saw Hannah in the driveway. Hannah moved to St.Lois in August. The girls have talked and sent e-mail to one another, but have not seen each other since last  summer.

What moment will you miss?

 

Just like our parents took care of us when we were younger, it is our turn to take care of them.  I call it "Habitat for Grandparents' Humanity". Jeff spends his vacation working on either my mom's or his parents' homes. The kids and I went with him in the past. Because Mark is in school, Jeff went solo.

Just like the good old days, he is at home with his parents. When he chopped down the tree in the backyard, I wonder if flashbacks of him playing in the backyard went through my mother-in-law's mind. What about when he fixed the broken door knob? Does she remember a nine year old  trying to take the door knob apart? As I wonder about my mother-in-law and Jeff,  I start to think about me and Mark.

In a few short years, Mark will be off to college and to his first job. He will eventually get marry and have kids. When his family come for a visit, his dad and I will tell our grandkids the things he did when he was their age. Of course, Jeff and I will be older. Mark will take the lead role of "Habitat for Grandparents' Humanity." Jeff and I will be his #1 client.

When Mark is outside doing yard work, I will have flashbacks of an  8 year old boy braving himself  as he climbed to the top of  the tree.

It is very rare that I have an opportunity to have one-on-one time with Mark. When I do, I cherish every minute of it.  Friday was one of those rare moments. Because I had an early doctor's appointment,  I was able to take Mark to school. The thirty minute drive was priceless. Mark had an extra hour of sleep that morning; therefore, he was awake. Instead of listening to his Ipod, we were having a conversation about school, his friends and girlfriend, etc.    

When we arrived at school, we said  "good bye and  I love you" before he got out.  Knowing that I'm gonna miss this moment in a few years,  I held back  the tears as he walked away.

What will miss when you  face with an empty nest? Post it and link it with  Pam .

Having Mark in a public high school has been an adjusment for the family. We can't go on a vacation according to our schedule. Katherine doesn't like the fact that she is constantly under the microscope, because she is my only student.

Nevertheless, the biggest challange is Mark having to wake up at 5:30 every morning, and to catch the bus at 6:20. He and I head to the bus stop by 6:10. I cherish the 10 minutes Mark and I have together before the bus comes. There is no distraction (phone, computer, sister, etc), just me and my son. We would sit in silence, while he catches a little more sleep. On the other hand, we often talk about school, family, girlfriend, or whatever is his our mind. In a couple of years, he will have his driver's license and I am going to miss this moment.

For more You're Gonna Miss This Moment, click on the clipart