- Calling a friend and asking, "Do you want to play?"
- Giving them a ride to that friend's house. Throwing up on the way there.
- Crying, and needing a band-aid.
- Spending three days at the Memorial Day soccer tournament.
- Talking to themselves - oblivious to others.
- Wanting to be picked up. Wanting to be put down.
- Kissing you in public. Hugging you in public. Even talking to you in public.
- Lice checks. Lice found.
- Sleeping in your bed, or on your shoulder. Sweet-smelling morning breath.
- Jumping in leaves; playing on the kitchen floor with coloring books and legos; sidewalk chalk, razor scooters.
- Doing art projects - popsickle sticks, pipecleaners and paste.
- Shopping for new school supplies and Halloween costumes.
Before you know it, these things don't happen any more. And you never know the last time they will. It happens in a routine moment, but then is gone forever. Granted, newer, equally exciting - maybe even more exciting - things take their place. But the old stuff you loved - or took for granted - doesn't happen any more. Maybe they will when you're a grandparent. Hopefully.
My 18 year old son finished a marathon today. My 14 year old daughter made the varsity gymnastics team as a freshman. They both get great grades and have wonderful friends. They treat the dog like gold - always a good sign.
We are all definitely on to bigger and better things.
But they'll never call a friend and ask "if they want to play", won't ask you for a ride, or throw up in the car on the way (at least not for the same reason as when they were young). As for sweet-smelling breathe - those days are long gone...along with the gunk that was always stuck in their braces. And you can schedule a garage sale for the Razor scooter, side-walk chalk and old school supplies and Halloween costumes.
If you'll excuse me now, I've got to copy those old home movies on VHS tapes to DVDs before they disintegrate. Without them, I won't be able to show my grand kids.
Copyright @ Keith Chaitoff 2009
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