Only three more slots.
I admit it. I’ve been terrible about keeping baby books for the boys. Or even those cute little books that highlight their elementary years. Yeah, I think they’re more empty than full.
But, this weekend, I determined to catch up their kindergarten through twelfth grade photo frames. And it hit me so hard I had to swallow back tears.
I only have three more slots to fill with pictures of my oldest. When he noticed it, he got a little sad.
How is it the years have flown so quickly?
It was just yesterday I held him in my arms, nuzzling him close and singing over him.
Yesterday when he leapt from the car for his first day of kindergarten. Without a backward glance at his mama, who was holding back a tear or two.
It was only yesterday when he began junior high school, so excited for the grand adventure and more freedom.
And now, we only have three more years left with him. Five more with his brother. How do they grow so quickly?
There are only a finite number of months to train them in so, so much. To prepare them for adulthood. To give them opportunities to fail now so they can succeed later.
My heart is already sad for the day they walk out our door for the last time and into the next chapter of their lives, be it college or a job or the military.
It’s fascinating to watch our boys becoming men. To capture those glimpses of maturity . . . of the men they will one day be.
To witness the teenage temper solar flare, only to be hugging me hard a few moments later. To watch the euphoria and the angst . . . all within a period of five minutes.
They’re growing so quickly. And I’m not ready yet. I’m not prepared for them to launch out on their own.
As I worked on their photo frames, I smiled at the sweetness of their kindergarten pictures. So innocent and unsure. I grinned at both of their seventh grade pictures. Our oldest wanted to give his best “CIA/I’m-a-spy” look. His brother seemed to do the same thing.
What is it about seventh grade?
