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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Anything On Earth

Today, the weather was almost pleasant, and we took the boys to the sculpture garden so Owen could show his grandfather how he bikes, "Faster than my Dad runs, faster than a car, faster that anything ON EARTH."

We're working on his confidence.

He pedaled faster than I could walk, so I let him go ahead, stopping him periodically by yelling, "Red Light!" He would freeze in position and wait for me to catch up, then zoom off into the distance once again.

As I walked, watching my boy navigate his world, I thought about autumn, and how pleasant it will be to visit this park. I thought about the crunch of the leaves and the bite of the air, and my boy, pedaling without consequence, without purpose, just simply because it's so much fun.

Then, it hit me. He will be in school three days a week.

Three days a week, he will not share these gorgeous moments with me.

Three days a week, he will belong to his friends and his teachers.

For three days a week, he will have a world entirely apart from me.

This is how it should be.

Yet, as I watched him, I realized that with every day, he is pedaling away from me.

At this time next year, he will be on the cusp of kindergarten. And then it will be first grade, than middle school, and on and on it goes.

So incredibly fast. So incredibly soon. He's pedaling away, faster than his Dad's powerful strides, faster than a car, faster than anything on Earth.

24 comments:

Rebecca said...

Yep, I hear you. My son is away from me four days a week (preschool) and my daughter is now away from me five days a week, kindergarten. It was really rough at first...like a band-aid getting ripped off really fast....that was really REALLY glued on tight....Good luck when your little man starts school

The Ninja said...

This was beautiful. I admit that I pushed my kids on their bikes to pedal away...I'm all warm and fuzzy like that.

Eternal Lizdom said...

But he still has his training wheels on.

And even when he thinks he doesn't need them anymore, that's when he will need them most of all.

(by training wheels- even though they are clearly in the pic- I totally mean parents)

Cluttered Brain said...

Aww! Such sweet sentiment. I'm 34 and I still need my mama at times!
We never outgrow our family!

Ms. Moon said...

You are making each day count and that is all you can do.

Alexandra said...

I hear every word..loud and clear. The sweet pictures fit your words so perfectly.

LB said...

Great...just when I calmed down a little, I read this.

My baby starts kindergarten this year. I'm going to have a nervous breakdown his first day.

Jenny said...

What a beautiful post. I love when we believe we can do anything faster than anything on Earth.

Minivan Lover said...

Oh, if you figure out how to slow it down, please- PLEASE let me know.

Liz Mays said...

I'm glad you realize how fast he can pedal, because I've never seen anything go so fast in my life!

Cat said...

As you say, this is how it should be. It's much harder on us than them...

Muliebrity said...

Stop trying to make me sad! And, why is Owen wearing long pants and sleeves? Did you move to the North Pole or something?

Bekah said...

STOP!! My baby starts kindergarten in 3 weeks and I can't stand it!!

shortmama said...

Ugh, it goes by so fast!

Cheeseboy said...

Oh, I know. It's so hard to watch them grow up sometimes.

Macey said...

NO!
I hate when school starts again. I hate sharing with the world. :(

When did I become my Mom said...

Wow. My heart is so full for you.
You're doing it right. Enjoy this time.

cheatymoon said...

No kidding. High school in September. How can that be?

Love this post.

Melani said...

Yes, they grow faster then weeds...just keep enjoying them like you do! :)

Salt said...

I don't even know how it feels yet and this post made me so sad. I'm going to be a complete basket case when it's my own child.

Unknown said...

I love your pedaling metaphor, Nancy. Mine are also on the cusp of kindergarten, they will start next fall. I confess I may be a teensy bit sad, but I'm ready for them to start learning that there are other people in the world besides Mommy. LOL!

;-)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Aww, that is so sweet. He's getting so big.
xo jj

An Imperfect Momma said...

That was so sweet. They grow up way too fast, dont they?

Tracie said...

So sweet. It does go so very fast. *sigh*