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:
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
This was beautiful. I admit that I pushed my kids on their bikes to pedal away...I'm all warm and fuzzy like that.
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)
Aww! Such sweet sentiment. I'm 34 and I still need my mama at times!
We never outgrow our family!
You are making each day count and that is all you can do.
I hear every word..loud and clear. The sweet pictures fit your words so perfectly.
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.
What a beautiful post. I love when we believe we can do anything faster than anything on Earth.
Oh, if you figure out how to slow it down, please- PLEASE let me know.
I'm glad you realize how fast he can pedal, because I've never seen anything go so fast in my life!
As you say, this is how it should be. It's much harder on us than them...
Stop trying to make me sad! And, why is Owen wearing long pants and sleeves? Did you move to the North Pole or something?
STOP!! My baby starts kindergarten in 3 weeks and I can't stand it!!
Ugh, it goes by so fast!
Oh, I know. It's so hard to watch them grow up sometimes.
NO!
I hate when school starts again. I hate sharing with the world. :(
Wow. My heart is so full for you.
You're doing it right. Enjoy this time.
No kidding. High school in September. How can that be?
Love this post.
Yes, they grow faster then weeds...just keep enjoying them like you do! :)
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.
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!
;-)
Aww, that is so sweet. He's getting so big.
xo jj
That was so sweet. They grow up way too fast, dont they?
So sweet. It does go so very fast. *sigh*
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