As My Son Grows Older

As I watch my son grow, I realize how quickly he has changed! He’s not a baby anymore and I really miss that sweet baby sometimes!  I can look at him and see the remnants of his little red curls, now soft waves. His tiny hands have started to lose some of their cute baby chub. And oh boy do I miss that baby smell!

Now when I look at him I try to imagine what he will look like as a teenager and as a man.  I wonder if his hair will still be the strawberry color that it is right now.  I wonder if he will be tall like my family, or average height like my husband’s.  I don’t just try to imagine what he might look like.  Sometimes I try to imagine what sort of a person he will be, what kind of character he will have.

There are some character traits I really hope he outgrows! I hope he eventually learns not to be so stubborn as to make things more difficult for him.  I hope he one day stops throwing a tantrum when he doesn’t get his own way. I really hope he outgrows the dreaded two year old whining!

Even at this young age, there are some characteristics he’s starting to show us that I hope he keeps.  I hope he cultivates them and becomes an amazing man one day!  One of them is his amazing capacity to give!  Sure there are times when his two year old “mine, mine, mine” mentality takes over, but for the most part he is proving to be very charitable. He loves to share and give gifts to everyone he meets. I hope that as he grows he will remember to give and to share with as much gusto as he does now.

Another character trait I really don’t want him to grow out of is his honesty.  He always tells us the truth.  He once brought me a favorite toy that was broken. When I asked him what happened he hung his head and said “I broke it Mommy.”  I fixed the toy and thanked him for being honest.  I guess at two, he just hasn’t learned to lie. I’m sure one day he will tell a lie, but I hope he chooses to keep telling the truth.

There’s one more characteristic I really hope he hangs on to throughout his life.  It’s one that scares me half to death. It’s his bravery. My son is one of the bravest people I know.  He terrifies me with his stunts! I’m always scared he will get hurt, but he is fearless!  When he sets his mind to do something, he discovers a way to do it and won’t be deterred.  I’ve started saying “Please be careful” just as often as I say “I love you.”  No matter how scary it might be for me as a mom, I recognize that his bravery will serve him well later in life.  The world we live in requires bravery.  I hope he remains determined to reach his goals even when they change from trying to climb the built in bookcases to the more dangerous and truly amazing!

Even though I’m a little sad to see my sweet baby turn into a man, I’m excited too.  I can’t wait to see what kind of man he will be. I can’t wait to see what great things he will accomplish. I’m excited to see what kind of life he will lead.  I’ll always be his mommy. He will always be my little boy, no matter how big he gets. I just hope he remembers to be as courageous, truthful, and charitable as he is right now.

Written by: Sara Parise