Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Old Man

I awoke to the Psychedelic Furs "Love My Way" on KMTT this morning. That should have been my first clue. You know, that I've suddenly become an old man.

Kayleigh bounced into my room to hug me good morning, already dressed for the first day of school. Tyler followed, equally excited (buh??), and also tackled me in a good morning hug. We joked a bit, then I had them get packed up and shoes on, and we grabbed some muffins (and a coffee for me) at QFC.

Then I dropped my daughter off at middle school.

Then I dropped my son off at high school.

Then I wept a bit on the way home, and blew a little kiss at Sam. "They're growing up," I whispered, thinking of all the growth and development she's missed in the last three-plus years.

And I breathed a huge sigh of relief, knowing that I would not have to be the sole witness to my children growing up, and that - hopefully - this would be the last major step I'd have to walk them through alone. I will be able to share the future triumphs and challenges, the happy times, sad times and momentous occasions.

And that makes me very, very happy.

3 comments:

Lucy Leadskin said...

Huge hugs for all of you. :D

Raechelle said...

Wish I could have been there.
Next time :-)

konradical said...

what a moving post, thanks for sharing. you're not really old (we're the same age, ergo you're not old), you got a fairly early start. now when MY projected progeny is(are) in high school, I'll have earned the "old man" designation. and I'll probably be getting misty eyed on similar occasions.