It is so cliché to say...but it really seems like yesterday that I held my baby for the first time. He was so small and helpless. It felt in that moment that would be how parenting was FOREVER! Little did I know, that was the easy part (again so cliché to say!). The battles have been exhausting at times, but then come the moments...you parents know the ones...that make it all worth it!
We have struggled with Colin in the past 9 years quite a bit. He didn't eat well at first; he was smaller than most other babies; he never slept well and cried a lot. Then one day it seemed he just didn't do those things anymore. He was happy all the time and a joy to be around. People loved to listen to him talk. His laugh was contagious. Then Preschool came with new worries. It turns out that not everyone is nice in the world and Colin could not understand why. It turns out that not everything is black and white and that too was hard to understand. But then we figured that out too. Finally school became a battle. It was never easy to keep him engaged. Not everything was fair. Not every teacher wants a child to ask a million questions or understands that is just how some kids learn. But in time we figured that out too (although I have a feeling Mrs. Ahlstrand is one in a million and we may have this battle again). All along the way, with each battle we face, we see our child grow-up and become an ever more amazing person. It has been a pleasure to see him grow into himself. We hear his laugh or watch his eyes sparkle whenever he finds something he loves and is excited about and we know it has all been worth it.
This year Colin has had a wonderful year, in school as well as out of school. Not that everything has been wonderful, but the growth has all lead to something positive. He has been challenged to think about things in new ways and to complete work he isn’t naturally good at...and it turns out sometimes he surprises himself. He has had to learn about being a good friend and how to say sorry when it means keeping a friend. He has learned how to challenge himself to get better at something without getting discouraged. He has learned to try new things and how that sometimes leads to new passions (and sometimes that leads you to know you REALLY don’t like something). He has learned about loss and how to cope afterward. The year has been full of so much learning that I almost feel like I don’t have my same baby anymore. I am watching him as he spreads his wings and I pray those root are firmly established. I am excited to see that although my 9 years of parenthood have had plenty of learning moments for me, it was produced a great kid who has made the entire adventure worth it all.
Happy Birthday Colin and thanks for making me a mom!
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