When Kids Grow Up: Their Landmark Birthdays and Mom's Heart

My baby turned 30 on Saturday.  He's a remarkable man and has been independent and away from home (across the country, actually) for a long time.  But he's still my only youngest child. 

It was a landmark for him, and he had a great day, I think, while I spent much of that day in a state of astonishing gratitude.

That face would be enough, right?  The amazing thing is that for every smile, grin, laugh, great story, amazing artwork, funny home-made Halloween costume (How many second-graders dress up as Agent Cooper from Twin Peaks, after all?) there are a hundred more.  He's a wealth of wonders.

I have so many friends who are close to his age, or younger, and I've often tried to describe what it feels like to see a beloved boy grow into a fine, honorable, creative, funny, loving and talented man.  But they're worrying about preschool and OT and nannies and play dates and work-life balance and it sounds so far away - probably frighteningly so.

So, as I have so often before, I'm telling you instead. There are few honors more moving than noting a day like this with joy. Look at this photo - a moment of pure eloquence as a young man toasts his big brother at his wedding.  You can see how much they like each other; that's a gift too.

I could tell many stories about the little boy up there and the man, too, but they are his stories to tell.  I'm here, rather, to tell you, and myself, one more time, about my own sense of the pure honor of being a parent and riding along as our kids find their way.  Through good times and bad, success and ... not so much .... their presence is a blessing. 

So.  Here I am, in adequately trying to tell people -- who already know the wonders of parenthood -- about someone they've never met.  Because, as he enters his 31st year, I'm just so glad I know him.

Happy birthday Dan.

Comments

[Cynthia Samuels]

Thanks so much to both of you! It's an amazing privilege and it's so lovely to share it!

[Laurie Neumann]

What a sweet post. My oldest has six years to go until he's 30, but even just saying that seems foreign to me. It doesn't seem possible.

I homeschooled my kids, and I, like you, feel honored and privileged to have been able to do that. What a gift to have that extra time with them.

Thanks for sharing.

[Jen]

It's just been in the last few years (I'm turning 39 in December) that I have understood what my parents and grandparents meant when they talked about how fast time goes by. I didn't realize before that there is a part of us inside that always feels the same, whether you're 4 or almost 40, and it's so weird to keep seeing this older person in the mirror.

I went to a wedding this last weekend and watching the 20-somethings on the dance floor made me feel like one of the older cousins. I'm not one of those cute young things anymore (if I ever was) and that's a weird feeling.