I've been looking at the blinking curser for too long now, not sure what to type. I was planning tonight to blog about Eli's 7th birthday, which was on Thursday, and his Wipeout party, which was seriously a blast. And I promise I will, later. And I guess this post is a celebration of Eli and his 7th birthday, in a way. In another way, its about one of those heartbreaking moments that come as our babies grow up.
Tonight as I was saying good night to Eli, he started "chit-chatting" (one of his favorite things to do lately, he asked the other day why "sitting and chatting was so much fun") about the summer and how it was quickly coming to an end. He started talking about first grade and the excitement of school. We talked about new friends, recesses, lunch, PE, and me picking him up from school at 3:30. All of sudden his cheerful chatter stopped, tears poured down his cheeks and he cried, "But I will miss you SO much!!" His little body shook as he sobbed and sobbed into his pillow. His sudden display of emotion stunned me. Eli has become so independent and so sure of himself. So grown up and previously so excited to start first grade. This is my boy who barely wanted to talk to me on the phone when I was gone for 3 days a few weeks ago! I sat there holding my crying (big) boy, not able to talk because tears were pouring down my face. So much for my resolve to not cry in front of him about 1st grade! But hearing him say how much he'd miss me was more than my mother heart could take. He calculated how long he'd be at school and then how long he'd be at home before bedtime ("can't we push it to 9:00 so we'll have more time together?"). When he realized he'd be at school for longer the crying intensified. Then he said, through tear-filled eyes, "But I do always have you here with me," his hand on his heart. Oh my sweet boy. We talked about all the things he had to look forward too. And we talked about how much we would both look forward to snack time when he got home from school when we could sit and chit-chat about everything that happened while he was away. After some reassurance and a hug from his Dad, I sang one of his favorite lullabies (Cuddle Down for you Wrights out there) 4 times in a row and he said he was calm enough to fall asleep.
So, tonight I decided if I could freeze time, I would do it now. I recently read a parenting article that said these were the "lovable sevens" and after the first few days of a seven year old I would whole-heartedly agree. What a pleasant boy. I wish the lovable sevens lasted until he graduated from high school. But I will definitely cherish these moments with my sweet little seven year old. How grateful I am for the last 7 years I've been able to spend at home with him. And that because of those 7 years, my independent Eli will miss his mom. Ok, he'll miss me for like two seconds once he actually gets to school, but its the thought, right?
Now let's not get me started on Paige in kindergarten....
