January 05, 2011

My baby is 18

How do you get an 18 year old to smile for his picture?
Put him in a head lock. 
Yes, our youngest child turned 18 yesterday.  And yes, I am starting to take off the wallpaper in my diningroom and kitchen.  Which is a mistake as I need to paint the livingroom first.  Anyway, we along with his older brother and his wife went out to eat at Applebee's and then back home to have birthday cake and open gifts. 

As many moms know, it is hard to believe that our kids are growing older and then when they reach a milestone birthday it is even harder to believe that you are the parent of a child that age.  So here I am a mom to an 18 year old and a 25 year old. 

Soon our youngest son will graduate from high school, go to college, graduate and then be off to his first big job.  I remember when our oldest went to college.  I missed not seeing him every day but I came to really enjoy the college years and his growing and becoming a wonderful, mature young man.  And then he married and I now enjoy not only him, but his beautiful wife and my daughter in law.

As we celebrated our youngest son's birthday, I truly know that the best is yet to come in his life.  I am glad I will be a part of that.

Watching your child grow from infant to toddler to school age to teens to young adult years is a privilege.  Seeing the hard work of raising young boys to be capable, responsible, good young men makes my heart burst with pride.  It doesn't just happen -- it is the fruit of the small things building upon each other - the discipline and the love which builds character.

When they are born and the love sweeps over you, you can't imagine ever seeing them grow and letting them go.  When the time came for my oldest son to go to college, I felt such excitement as I knew he was going after his dream to become a math teacher and coach. Now our youngest will be off to college this fall following his dream of majoring in government and journalism.  Watching my children fulfill their dreams brings me happiness.  Yes - the best is yet to come.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love what you shared about your children. I wish more mothers thought the same way. Raising children is a privilege, and if one is fortunate enough to see them grow up and go off on their own (not everyone is), they should be grateful and glad for all that has been accomplished. Too often I read on blogs on how the mother is depressed because her life is not the same - and there are some women who can't seem to exist without children at home. It's a selfish way of thinking when the focus should be on the child and the happiness of their future. It's not a loss to see your child grow up and become an adult - it's what mothers and fathers are supposed to do. You not only have your sons, now you have a daughter-in-law too. I bet you have done an excellent job as a mother. I appreciate you sharing your heart. Lyn

Maureen said...

Martha it seems to me as if we feel exactly the same about our Children, and now I am in the priviliged position of watching my Grandchildren grow up. When we have family dinners at our house I gaze round the table with pride, and know I have done something worthwhile with my life.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your son! My oldest just turned 16, and I can't believe time goes by sooo quickly! I get tears in my eyes when I think about hime oneday leaving me.. :( *sniff, sniff*